Author: joysha2@aol.com

Those words mean well, but, to me, right now, and my ex sister-in-law turned good friend, I don’t think they even touch us. I can’t even imagine the loss she is feeling right now. Her beautiful, wonderful, sweetheart of a daughter was killed by a drunk driver last night. The horrible accident could have been prevented by a phone call to a taxi company, a caring friend who might have taken the driver’s keys, an Uber app, a Lyft app, or even a sleep before he went behind the wheel. Such a loss of life. So close to home, I just can’t stop thinking about her. I loved my niece dearly, I wanted to see her provide a great life for her daughter. I had it rough being a single mom too and I always tried to be encouraging to her in whatever way I could. I remember sending her and her daughter a box of arts and crafts stuff that I didn’t need anymore, just so they could spend some quality time together, without having to go to the store or look up things to do. I hope they got to share that time together. I want to take the hurt away from my good friend Vicki, I want to make things better for her daughter Tianna, but I’m afraid there is nothing I can do. Except pray for them to be touched by Nicole’s life. I feel the extreme loss and sadness for them. It hurts, but doesn’t even compare to what they are feeling right now. Hold on tight. Our days are numbered. Love now, love hard. Make time count. Use the good china on a Monday night hot dog dinner. Use the silver. Make tents and forts on the living room floor, (I imagine Nicole doing this with Tianna, she was a fun girl!) She always called me her crazy Aunt Joyce, I hope she had time to be crazy with Tianna. I love you Nicole and the world is a darker place because you aren’t in it anymore.

If you feel prompted and wish to make a donation to help Vickie pay for her final resting place, please contribute, even if it’s a small donation, every little bit helps. Click on the link. Thank you, and hold your loved ones more.

I am hoping this link works… I can’t get the link to go live, copy and paste might be needed…

https://www.gofundme.com/ykr5p-devastating-death-of-young-mother

Do you deal with stubborness on a daily basis? Do you know someone who is just SO stubborn? Eek! It drives me crazy! I am stubborn and I am sure I must drive someone crazy, because I deal with it daily. Maybe that is why I can spot it from a mile away.

Some of my students are stubborn. They just won’t do what I ask of them. I wonder why? Do they just don’t want to copy their homework? How can I convince them that they NEED to copy it? How can I convince my daughter that she SHOULD spend time with me? How do I get my wonderful husband to close what he opens? Maybe it’s just my curse, my burden, maybe because I am stubborn! I can’t think of a certain instance where I can compare myself to these situations, funny, huh? I bet my husband is thinking right now as he reads this… WHAT? I can think of a million things! She leaves her shoes all over! I just don’t want to pick up my shoes, I like them there in front of my chair, that’s where I’ll find them tomorrow for work!

There must be an answer and that is what I find myself doing tonight, looking for an answer to the question, how do I get my students motivated to do the right thing without me telling them over and over again. I find myself searching the web for cool, interesting, engaging STEM activities that I know they will want to do! But, I stop in my tracks, what if it doesn’t excite them like it excites me? That’s a chance I will just have to take. Maybe my excitement will be contagious, one of my favorite principals I’ve ever had, always used to tell me that I was contagious, my laughter, my smile, my motivation. I took it as a compliment, sounds like it was right? I am going to turn my irritating stubborness into a motivational inspirational drive to convince those scholars tomorrow that being stubborn is a good thing because it gets those things done! At least I am aware of stubborness, I can either fight it or let it be and use it to my advantage… I gotta go pick up my shoes.

I always thought that was dumb, “a good tired,” until I became a teacher. I don’t want to sit here and complain because I did just have an entire summer off, but it’s hard to get back into the swing of things! Alarm set for 5:30 am (still not enough time to check Facebook), traffic, just the stress of driving in before I’m considered late is hard! I only work 15 miles away from my school but it takes a good hour (there’s that word “good” again) to drive there! That’s crazy time! That’s 4 minutes for one mile! At least I don’t live in LA right? I listen to music, drink coffee, and eat my breakfast snack to pass the time, and hope that I get there in time.

Today is an emotional day for me. It was my birthday and the anniversary of my dad’s death, five years ago. If you know me and/or read my post entitled “Oil and Water Really Don’t Mix” you know of my relationship with my dad. He loved me, but didn’t know how to show me, and I really didn’t hold it against him, I still loved him, he still taught me well. But it was tough. My birthday present to him every year was leaving his home in North Carolina, what he wished for. And, in the end, he ended up leaving us on my birthday. Ironic. So, which leaves me in a predicament. Do I celebrate my birthday? Do I remain solemn all day to remember my Dad? I don’t know what to feel. I’m just tired, a good tired! Today was also the first day of school with the kids!

First days… what can I say? I have the same group of kids I had last year, no, I don’t have to teach them again, I just brought them through second grade, now we will go through third grade together, it’s called “looping” in the education world. It was really like we never left each other. Same kids doing the same things they did last year. A positive thought is that I was right on top of it. I just hope they still love reading! Again, I am a good tired. I did a lot today, felt a lot, thought a lot, walked a lot, drove a lot. It is a good tired, I guess. I guess a bad tired would be still tired but didn’t do anything all day! At least my life was full today. I thank everyone that took the time out of their busy day to wish me a happy birthday, I really do appreciate it. Thank you. Thank you for a good tired. May tomorrow bring us all another good tired.

Today I was reminded of long ago, when my teaching career had just started. We have quite a bit of new teachers at our school, and they are young! As they are bright eyed and bushy tailed, the thing I adore most is how they don’t stress over anything. They are just casual, it’ll get done. They don’t let deadlines effect them for some reason, maybe they have it already done, with all that energy, I bet they have! Not like this “seasoned” teacher as I am often called.

I know the new teachers don’t like to be called “cute” but they are! I can’t help it! Not that they have cute little lunch boxes or anything, just little details like their screen saver to their computers showing our school mascot and the school logo. I am still trying to get those official lesson plans in the google drive! They are off installing new software and wondering when we get teacher’s manuals. As with experience comes wisdom. Of course, I already have copies made to start my children off on something the minute they enter the room, while I work out the new attendance system on the laptop. Not that it is busy work, and I do have some new, exciting activities for them, they just have to have practice in putting it down on paper, in word form. I can’t wait until Tuesday when they try to Save Fred!

I remember twenty years ago when I was all fresh. Back then, we didn’t even have a curriculum printed! Just a long list of concepts and skills our set of children were to know and master by June. I remember tracing, cutting, laminating (in which I still adore!) double checking I had everything I needed for the next day. I hand made folder activities, worksheets, writing paper, everything I had planned on paper. I had so much energy! I’d be up well past midnight until it finally dawned on me I should be going to bed. Maybe that’s why I suffer from insomnia!

The new teachers actually give me a quick charge. Maybe it’s the thought of when my energy level was through the roof. I want to wish all my teacher friends a wonderful year, even though I will miss some of them desperately, Jen!!!!! As I miss many other friends I still keep in touch with at my old school. Have a great year, and hopefully I can master some of that new found energy for this “seasoned” teacher.

Well, it’s that time again. The beginning of a new school year. We’ve had all summer long to sleep late, stay up late, shop, read, clean, travel. We got to use the bathroom whenever we wanted, go exercise whenever, take walks, bike rides, visit with family, friends, discover new people, places and things. No time restraints, no schedules, (except for all the doctor appointments we fit in…) nothing to tie us down, just fun, relax, and do whatever, whenever. Sounds great doesn’t it???? I think that is the best part of summer. Even though we still might run into stressful situations, I think I can just handle them better because I was relaxed when it happened? Maybe?

Tomorrow starts a new year. The kids won’t be in until next week, but we are mandated to report tomorrow, 8:00 am! Jeez! Too early! Can’t we start at 10 ish? If it wasn’t for traffic and making my lunch, picking out the day’s outfit, wash, laundry I wouldn’t mind so much. Tonight is Sunday night and I just heard on the radio that “Sunday Blues” is a real thing! Us teachers knew that! Turns out other people get it too, it’s not just for teachers! From one extreme to the other. Total relaxation to extreme “To Do” lists. I would bet money on that list happening real quick tomorrow, probably by 8:10.

I want to wish all the incredibly talented teachers I know, a good year. I really do know some of the best teachers in the country. I know they will do great and hoping they’ll have the best class ever! Just remember to have fun with those babies and show them how to relax too! When things get to stressed and complicated, think of summer, it may just help a ton! Have a great year everyone!

 

Life is just a series of events and how you handle them. I encountered a big disappointment today, but what can I do? I had plans to get something accomplished but because of certain circumstances, nothing could get done. Oh well! Guess I’ll get to go in my pool, do some schoolwork, make copies. If I was to fret about it, I would just be wasting my own time. It’s hard when you feel the feeling, but through constant practice, I am hoping it comes easier.

It’s hard to compare your quality of life to someone else’s. If and when disappointments occur, your quality of life could improve because your feeling and attitude improves, or you could just dwell on it and let it ruin the rest of your day. Nope! Not here! I am going to forget about it and move on. I choose too. That is my story and I’m sticking to it!

Tonight I get mommy/daughter time! I’m so excited, even though it may be a sad reason, I am going to enjoy my time with my mom and daughter while we go to visit my dad’s grave (today would have been his 78th birthday and he passed five years ago). If you read my blog titled “Oil and Water Don’t Mix” you’ll understand more how this day means to me. I am actually continuing our tradition of not being with him on his birthday, but… guess what? I’ve been thinking about him all day, so he IS with me on his birthday! Happy Birthday Dad, I love you.

Summer is coming to an end for us teachers. Time to start thinking of the new year and new students yet to come adorn our rooms ready to start anew, I hope! I am always hopeful of the new babies that come to me and I always wonder if I will handle the challenging ones well enough. I pray for a good year, every year, every August, September, June, October. But, guess what? I am having the same babies I had last year! It is kind of exciting actually! I get to see them a year older, smarter, cuter, and a tad bit more mature than they were last year. Last year, they were second graders, this year they will be big third graders! I can’t wait to see how much they have progressed over the summer. More milestones to see!

I hope I taught them well last year. I guess I will determine that this year, soon. I am “looping” with the same children I had last year, and it is a good thing, I am really looking forward to it. I just hope I gave them a good base to start with, for this year, a testing year. So much pressure! We will learn together how to deal with stress, how to be independent in our learning, and how to make ourselves better than before! I really do love my kids and I am glad I get to spend another year with them. I hope this looping thing works, I’ve already got a head start on what they need, and want, so I am thinking we are going to love being together again! A family reunion!

I love summer and the rest I get to experience. But, I do love the excitement of teaching, learning and the hustle and bustle of everyday living. Thank you summer of 2017, I had a great time but I may just be ready for my family reunion! Have a great school year everyone!

Don’t underestimate the value of things or people in your life, give them your attention, appreciate them.  Don’t take things for granted, be blessed and know it.

So many cliché’s come to mind. “You don’t miss it until it’s gone,” “Don’t take it for granted.” After a wonderful weekend in New York City I came home to a ninety degree house, broken air conditioner. Yes, it was late Sunday afternoon so of course no one is coming to help me out, except my neighbor who is a retired HVAC guy. Even though he got it running, he doesn’t have a supply of parts, so still looked like we had to rough it. So now, we are resting in the heat waiting until the sun goes down to cool down a bit. And it only took this inconvenience to remind me that I can go night swimming in our pool! What a delight! It got to the point where the water was warmer than the air and I got quite chilled! Imagine that! With a broken AC unit!

I remember when I was a single mom living in Philadelphia. No one to help me out at all, except my parents in a nearby suburb thirty minutes from our row home. Our electricity was cut off late one Friday afternoon. I don’t know why I didn’t pay the bill, I can’t seem to remember why I didn’t! Yes, I was short on money, but I could have scrapped together enough for PECO to leave it on. My parents would have helped me out, I just didn’t ask. Me and Ashley just had to rough it. I remember both of us sleeping directly under my bedroom window, catching the inch of the breeze coming through. No electricity, not just no AC, no fan, no nothing. I don’t remember what we did the rest of the weekend, just that night, apologizing to my daughter who didn’t understand over and over again, and her saying “it’s ok mommy, we’ll be okay, it’s fun! like a sleepover!” She didn’t even notice the heat. Another delight.

Sometimes it is good to “rough it,” makes us appreciate things more, I think. Remember back when you had nothing, and now you have everything. I remember dreaming of having my own pool and now I do! What’s that saying, “If you don’t have to work hard for it, it’s not worth it” and “If it’s too easy, it won’t be worth it” or something, I don’t know, I just know I work hard to have AC and I’m glad it’s available to us. So, tonight, my husband and I will “rough it” after an amazing mini vacation in the city that never sleeps!

 

Okay, I kinda stole this title from my friend. She told me that was her reason for attending the Women’s March. Sometimes we just want to watch and see what’s happening. We do know what it’s all about, but we might want to see what is happening up front. Sort of feel the crowd, or maybe we believe in what’s happening and want to be a part of it, just don’t want to lead the masses. So, we observe and absorb.

This weekend, I am in New York City attending the Writer’s Digest Conference for the first time and why am I here? I don’t have a novel yet, or an action thriller or crime story, mystery or romantic novel to offer. I am here to observe and absorb. I have always classified myself as a teacher, but seriously, I am a learner. I love my kids everyday and I guide them to learn certain stuff but in fact, they teach me! I observe  them constantly to figure out what they need and how I can supply it to them. I absorb their feelings and try to convince them it is fun to learn something for themselves. It helps me understand them and in turn, they understand me better too! I am constantly learning through observation and absorption. I did attend a class today and attended the opening keynote speaker who was very inspiring to me. She told her audience to write what you know and be true to yourself and your writing. I’m glad she told us that, because that is what I am best at doing, being myself.

Do you observe and absorb? Follow others around you, watch them, see what they need or want. Be aware. Help them be the best they can be, it will make you better and the whole world will be much better for it. Go forth, observe and absorb.

I have the pleasure of knowing some of the best people on God’s green earth. It is pure joy when I talk with some people I know. How did my friend who I’ve known all my life know I was feeling down? How did she know to call me at that exact moment when my daughter walked on without me because my feet hurt? How did my workout buddy know the exact words to say to make me feel better when I was feeling totally beat down? Maybe, because they know me. It is pure joy knowing them and knowing they know me. I don’t know how else to say it.

I am so grateful to have these friends in my life. I am lucky, blessed, and beyond thankful for them. I hope I am there for them. I have to make sure I am, I am going to try to be so much more aware of them and issues that may be going on with them and take the time to let them know I care. I want them to feel what I am feeling right now.

I’m feeling mushy I guess. I am reliving the beach, boardwalk and memories with my beautiful daughter whom I love to the beach, moon, or wherever, and back. There are no words that can even come close to the love I feel for her. We are spending an overnight trip at the beach together. I don’t get enough time with her anymore. As a single mom, she was my world for over ten years and it is incredibly hard letting her grow on her own as an adult woman.

I thank my daughter, my childhood, lifetime friend Deirdre and my workout buddy Kathy. I love you all from the bottom of my heart, or wherever I can compare to let you know how much I appreciate you. Thank you for your time, thoughts and encouraging words, exactly when I need them. I love you all!

Do you have people like this in your life? I sure hope you do, if not, try to make friends more. The feeling inside is absolutely incredible. Spread the joy wherever you go, even if you don’t feel like it, it will be good for your soul, or someone else’s! Spread the joy people! Pure joy!