Welcoming in 2019

2019 is going to be a great year. There was so much heartache and so many changes in 2018 that I choose to believe that 2019 is going to be great.

I will be hitting the Paleo way of eating beginning January 1, 2019. I felt better, my health was better and a great side affect was that I lost weight. One change taking place in 2019 is that I am finally saying goodbye to most of my teeth. For years we have battled periodontal problems.  The situation in my mouth is now posing eating issues. I am unable to chew food properly. This means I either begin to choke or it gets stuck and I hiccup for  10-20 minutes. The opening to my stomach has suffered.  That will soon take care of itself.

My reading goal for this next year is 100 books. I already have the book picked out. You will have to check back to find out what it is. Our local park, only 3 blocks away, has added some workout equipment. Now parents can take their children to the park and while they are playing inside the fenced in  area, the adults can workout on the new equipment. My husband and I also plan on taking advantage of the walking trail there.

My writing must take more of a forefront for me. I felt like a desert this year. I would start writing and then something would happen and it would have to be put aside. My mom was excited that I picked up my notebook and began writing as soon as school was out. That was short lived as her health deteriorated. I found I was so stressed I couldn't read or write. Writing has always been a way for me to get rid of stress. I did write two poems for my mom while she was in the rehab facility. I couldn't even focus on preparing for school for the next year.

This next year, unless we are near progress reports or report cards I will no longer bring work home to grade. Home is time for my husband and I.  We are just beginning to learn how to be a couple again. A lot of his bee removals are done at night. As I lose more weight and purchase a bee suit that will fit me I plan on getting involved with his bee business. I have overcome most of my fear. I can remain calm and remove a bee when they get into the house. I haven't been able to put honey on my finger and pick them up like that yet, but I have hope. I often will video him at his hive if they are calm, even if I have no suit. Looking forward to doing and learning more about the bees.

Most importantly I am no longer going to stress about those things I can't control. So much is out of our hands. As long as I keep God in control then things will work out the way he sees best.

Wishing all of you the happiest of New Years.

A Look Back at 2018

Goodbye 2018

I had high hopes for 2018. I set some lofty goals.

My Health
My goal was is to stick closer to my paleo diet. That went so-so. My thyroid and everything is working great. However, the weight loss didn't happen. The reasons (excuses) for that will become evident in a bit.

My Reading Life
I met my goal of 50 books for my Goodreads challenge. My reading was not where I want it to be, but we had a strange and challenging first semester at school. Blending an elementary and middle school was not as smooth as I thought it would or should be. I have students this year who don't seem to care if they get work in on time or at all. Having to grade papers due to late turn in cuts into my reading time. 

My Writing Life
I actually spent less time writing. However, I got to work with and encourage several middle school students who are currently working on writing a book.  I put my energy there instead of on my own writing. Again, the reason for that will soon become clear.

My Creative Life
My plan was to start painting and quilting again. I haven't begun painting. It was discovered when we cleaned out our shed that I lost most all of my paints. I have filled four sketch books with drawings and doodles and colored them. I have been creatively sewing throughout the year and have really enjoyed it.

My Work Life
Knowing that I have always put my job first made me work harder at leaving my job with limited work. This was made easier at the beginning of the year when another teacher and I arrived as usual an hour early. We both pulled our bags out of our cars and discussed how we didn't get anything graded over the weekend. She informed me that another teacher told her that what we take home is a bag of lies. We lie to ourselves that we are going to work on these things at home then bring them back ungraded. I asked myself throughout the year if I was truly going to work on those things. I seldom took anything home with me. We learned before Thanksgiving break our Principal is going to be heading up the new middle school that will open next school year. However, that means that when we return in January she will be gone. She must ready the new school. I look forward to the challenges of the new year.

My Family Life
My husband and I had been trying to capture small amounts of time for ourselves as my mother lived with us. In February my mom fell in the bathroom and cracked a rib. This led to the discovery of a spot on her lungs. A biopsy in April found stage 3 lung cancer. She started having trouble with her heart, blood pressure, breathing and sugar in June. At the end of June she was hospitalized for two weeks and then sent to a rehab facility. She seemed to be improving when the props were knocked out from under us. Her breathing became worse. The cancer had taken over one lung. She was told that on a Saturday. On Wednesday the following week she was put into a hospice facility where she died the next day. After thirteen years of her living with us, we had to learn how to live just the two of us. It was quite an adjustment. This death was followed in October and then three days before Christmas by the death of two brothers-in-law.

This has been a tough year. The daily visits to the hospital and rehab facility meant we ate out more. There was no energy left to cook. I had to give daily updates to family and friends both here and in four other states. That was a 2 - 4 hour job every night. Eating out meant I put more weight on and spent less time exercising. I have begun to lose it again.  My mother was very proactive in everything. The week before she died she gave me daily "To Do" lists. These were things like; go through her things, get rid of her clothes and bedroom furniture, sort everything. She asked for a daily update. I had no energy left for writing. I would get ideas and jot them down in my journal, but no work on any of my projects. Drawing and doodling, along with coloring became my down time activity. Even now when I am stressed or have writer's block I doodle and that frees up my mind.  I am not going to get down on myself for the things I didn't accomplish. I will look at the things I was able to accomplish through all of these trials. The new year will definitely bring some changes.
Check back with  me on Monday to see what my plans are for the new year. 

Shimmer the Glowworm Finds Her Glow by Shelby Herman

With an uplifting message and vibrant illustrations, this tale is filled with inspiration for every child that has ever forgotten...just how bright they SHINE!

Children adore this fun adventure that is layered with relatable lessons.

Shimmer the Glowworm has a low glow and sets off on a journey hoping to find her glow out there somewhere.  Each time Shimmer meets a new friend, she inspires them. Ollie the Owl recognizes that we all have inner wisdom and we can share our ideas with others. Cray the Chameleon realizes how special his uniqueness is. Kiki the Kangaroo understands the importance of expressing her talents rather than downplaying them. Scout the Raccoon discovers the value of exploring new things and not giving up.As Shimmer the Glowworm heads back home, she realizes that when she encourages others to SHOW YOUR GLOW, her glow shines the brightest!

The theme song SHOW YOUR GLOW further enhances the message.

Where can you find this book?

Amazon