Tuesday

How was your Tuesday?
Today we reread the selection and discussed the Basal Alignment Questions. We worked on adverbs. We had time to work on our Bloom's Balls. And we did a little bit, prop-wise, for our play. Yay!
In math, we used equations with more than one operation to complete a table. Fun!
In science, we did an experiment with hot and cold water. We made graphs to chart the water temperature over the course of 45 minutes.

Homework:

• reading log
• fluency
• studies weekly due Friday
• spelling choice
• math practice 14-3
• writing: write a story using the words chicken, volume, illuminate

Happy happy Monday!

Today was an awesome start to the week. It was kind of odd in that we had an assembly today, but it flowed nicely.
We started work on our Bloom's Balls. They look fabulous when finished and put together. Can't wait to hang them up!
We finished reading our selection and used the drawing strategy to monitor and clarify.
In math, we found patterns and wrote equations for tables.
In science, we learned about kinetic and potential energy. We had a sorting activity to go along with the lesson.

Homework:

• reading log
• fluency (heat energy)
• spelling choice and related words
• math practice 14-1 and practice 14-2
• studies weekly due Friday
• writing: When I left ______ I didn't expect to see _______ again.

Food

So now that I have hemochromatosis, my relationship with food is completely different. I've always loved food. LOVED. Now -- it scares me. Food is where I get the iron. The iron that won't go away. The iron that makes me sick...
Iron in food comes in two forms, heme and nonheme. Heme is the iron from meat, and that's the kind easily absorbed by the body. The only known substance that can alter heme absorption is calcium.
Nonheme iron is everything else we eat. Fruits, veggies, grains, supplements, fortifications, cookware...and this type of iron has to be changed in the body before it is absorbed. There are substances that can hinder absorption, and substances that help the body absorb more nonheme iron.
My job now is to figure out which foods are good for me to eat so I don't keep raising my iron level while trying to reduce it with phlebotomies. For example, cereal that has been fortified with iron = not for me. Vitamin C helps increase iron absorption, so no orange juice with breakfast. Yet I need Vitamin C, so I can drink orange juice between meals (and there's no iron to absorb).
Tea and coffee have tannins that inhibit iron absorption so those two drinks (tea especially) are my new friends.
No more cast iron skillets. At least until my iron levels are "normal" -- and iron is measured in what's called ferritin. My level when I started treatment was 1725. It should be under 100. I have a ways to go.
Raw oysters are out forever. One of the side effects of this disease is that Vibrio vulnificus, a bacteria found in oysters and some other shellfish, can be fatal to me. Even walking on the beach barefoot is risky until my iron level is normal.
It's going to be a learning curve. I can't wait until I love food again!

Hemochromatosis

Just the name HEMOCHROMATOSIS sounds scary. Three weeks ago, after two longs years of not knowing what was wrong with me, I was diagnosed with this...
For the past two weeks, I've had treatments. And...oh my goodness! I feel so much better! But let me back up.
I've felt like crap for two years. Exhausted even after sleeping 12+ hours. Achy joints. Heavy breathing even when I hadn't been exercising. Eyesight diminishing rapidly. I've been to doctor after doctor. Had every test imaginable. Finally, finally, finally -- a diagnosis of hemochromatosis was confirmed. Basically, my body takes too much iron from food. There's no way for a body to get rid of iron, so it stays in the body and gets stored in organs. My liver has been damaged by all this extra iron.
Treatment...the only treatment is phlebotomy. Bloodletting. When I first heard this, I asked if leeches were used, like in medieval times. Nope. Every two weeks I go to a cancer and blood center and see the same staff every time (and I am lucky in this, not everyone is so blessed). I get an IV with fluids to replace the blood that is removed, and then 500ml of blood is taken out. I get dizzy and lightheaded, but that's ok. Because I FEEL BETTER. I'm not so exhausted. My eyesight is still bad. But I feel better.

8 Things

Stolen from Mindy....

8 Things I am Looking Forward To:

1. School being out on June 12 (my USC classes end AND it's the end of the school year)
2. Seeing the Cardinals live and in person (again...)
3. Going to New York City and "the shore" this summer
4. Reading From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler with Madison tonight
5. Seeing Melissa
6. The 6th grade vs the teachers softball game this afternoon
7. Relaxing with my family this summer
8. Reading what I want to read, all summer long

8 Things I did Yesterday:

1. Worked
2. Cooked dinner
3. Practiced the teacher dance for the talent show next Tuesday
4. Took Madison to tennis
5. Listened to Obama's speech in Egypt
6. Started reading From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler with Madison; she liked it so much we read two chapters
7. Played Farm Town
8. Threw tennis balls to Madison after her practice

8 Things I Wish I could Do:

1. Go to Paris. Again. And again.
2. Spend the summer at "the shore" in a beach house
3. Speak French
4. Have season tickets to the Cardinals
5. Slow down time, Madison is growing up too quickly for me
6. Have a flat in New York City
7. Teach my same group of kids next year; they are awesome
8. Go to Morocco

8 Shows I Watch:

1. The Office
2. Cardinals baseball
3. Grey's Anatomy
4. USC football
5. Saturday Night Live (on the Internet)
6. The Cardinals post game show
7. SportsCenter
8. Oprah (occasionally)

Weekly Recap

The best part of the week: Has to be, hands down, laughing with friends at work. If we didn't laugh, we'd cry -- the last part of the school year is always stressful and overwhelming...having good friends to share with makes all the difference!

The weekly read: I'm reading Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah. It's not a bad read, but it's not a book that I rush home to pick up.

Food I'm Totally In Love With: Stopped this morning at Starbucks for a latte. The drive thru line was HUGE so I went in and saw pain de chocolate in the case. OMG! Reminded me of France. So.very.very.good.

Weekly Comment: Yesterday at lunch us 6th grade teachers were talking about the math we're teaching (permutations and combinations). Someone in the lounge said, "Stop talking a foreign language at lunch!"

Recovering...

I have been so.sick. The cough from hell, sneezing, headache -- it's gone on for over a week. Last weekend I slept from Friday morning (because I called in sick to work) until Saturday evening, and then went back to bed Saturday night. I managed to make it to work every day this week, but it was rough. So glad it's Saturday!

In addition to being sick, it's the end of the trimester. That means...report cards. And my USC class ends this week, so my final project had to be completed. Somehow I got it all done this week -- and managed to maintain my sanity. Barely.

To make the week even better, there was some work drama. It took three after school meetings to work it out and I'm still not sure there aren't some hard feelings.

Hopefully this week will be better. My class is testing (a district test) and I'm confident they know the material. My fridge is full of good, nutritious food. The weather is gorgeous. I'm hopeful!

Oh, and earlier this year I chose the word CHERISH as my word of the year. I haven't done a good job of CHERISHING myself. I'm going to work on that this week!

New York City Edition!

WHAT I’M READING: Picked up Sarah's Key at the airport yesterday, for the simple reason that Augusten Burroughs had a blurb on the front saying it was "a shocking, profoundly moving, and morally challenging story...nothing short of miraculous. It will haunt you, it will help to complete you..." With a recommendation like that, I wanted to read it. Just started reading last night, and it's living up to its billing. It alternates between Paris in 1942 and Paris 60 years later.

WHAT I’M WATCHING: Watched Vicky Cristina Barcelona on the plane yesterday. Loved it. Saw that Penelope Cruz is nominated for an Academy Award as Best Supporting Actress for her role in it, she was fantastic.

WHAT I’M LISTENING TO: The sounds of Manhattan from my hotel room (the Hotel Elysee on 54th between Park and Madison). I'm on the 11th floor, so it's a bit muted, but the horns and sirens are still out there! Ahhh, New York City!

WHAT I’M WEARING: It's a bit brisk here! Brought my red coat I bought in London back in November and my black boots, that should keep me warm today as I traipse around Manhattan.

WHAT I’M EATING: John's Pizza today. Love pizza in Manhattan!

WHAT I’M ENJOYING: Being in New York City. I love the vibrancy of this city, the energy and the people.

WHAT I’M SNIFFING: Toasted nuts from a vendor on the street corner. Almonds. Brought some back to the room with me last night. Yum!

Weekend in Review

Changed up a bit, to review the weekend (which was fabulous!):

WHAT I’M READING: Just finished The Outcast by Sadie Jones. I picked it up in England in November. Haunting, deep, very good. Just started Bones by Jonathan Kellerman, I need something not so heavy as a follow-up.

WHAT I’M WATCHING: Watched The Secret Life of Bees (amazing) and saw Coraline with my daughter today.

WHAT I’M LISTENING TO: My iPod plugged into my car -- what a fantastic invention! Kept me occupied on the drive to Heather's house (and back) Saturday.

WHAT I’M WEARING: Clothes that keep me warm in this rain and boots. It's been raining since Thursday, a rarity in Southern California. LOVE IT!

WHAT I’M EATING: Lots of eating out this weekend. Outback, California Pizza Kitchen and a new find -- Cherry on Top frozen yogurt. That will be a regular haunt, I'm sure of it!

WHAT I’M ENJOYING: The rainy weather and a weekend with my girls -- Sandy Friday night, Heather Saturday, and all day Sunday with my daughter.

WHAT I’M SNIFFING: Tuscan chicken cooking and rain....

9 Layers

Copied from Lori:

LAYER ONE:
-- Name: Jennifer
-- Birth date: January 17
-- Birthplace: Boulder City, NV
-- Current Location: Riverside, CA on my couch
-- Eye Color: Green
-- Hair Color: Brown
-- Height: 5'7
-- Righty or Lefty: Righty
-- Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

LAYER TWO:
-- Your heritage: half Greek and the rest a mix of Western European
-- Your weakness: purses
-- Your fears: my daughter being hurt
-- Your perfect pizza: wild mushroom pizza on a thin crust
-- Goal you'd like to achieve: finish the gifted certification I'm working on

LAYER THREE:
-- Your first waking thoughts: Is it that time already??
-- Your best physical feature: Yesterday someone told me my eyes, I'll go with that
-- Your most missed memory: Sunday mornings with my Grandpa

LAYER FOUR:
-- Pepsi or Coke: neither, Dr. Pepper
-- McDonald's or Burger King: McDonald's
-- Single or group dates: Single
-- Adidas or Nike: Converse
-- Lipton Ice Tea or Nestea: only hot tea for me
-- Chocolate or vanilla: chocolate
-- Cappuccino or coffee: Cappuccino

LAYER FIVE:
-- Smoke: never
-- Cuss: sometimes
-- Sing: only when I'm alone
-- Take a shower everyday: Yep
-- Do you think you've been in love: Yep
-- Want to go to college: Still taking classes
-- Liked high school: Yes
-- Want to get married: Again?
-- Believe in yourself: Yes
-- Get motion sickness: Nope
-- Think you're attractive: Sure
-- Think you're a health freak: No
-- Get along with your parent(s): Yes. I love them both.
-- Like thunderstorms: Love them
-- Play an instrument: I used to be able to

LAYER SIX:
In the past month...
-- Drank alcohol: Yes
-- Smoked: No.
-- Done a drug: Nope.
-- Made Out: If you want to call it that....
-- Gone on a date: yep
-- Gone to the mall?: Yep.
-- Eaten an entire box of Oreos?: No.
-- Eaten sushi: No.
-- Been on stage: Nope.
-- Been dumped: Nope.
-- Gone skating: No (and I never will again after my fall)
-- Made homemade cookies: Yes. Toll House ones
-- Gone skinny dipping: No.
-- Dyed your hair: Yes (every month!)
-- Stolen Anything: Nope.

LAYER SEVEN:
Ever...
-- Played a game that required removal of clothing: Yes
-- Been trashed or extremely intoxicated: Yes
-- Been caught "doing something": depends on what something is.
-- Been called a tease: Yes
-- Gotten beaten up: No
-- Shoplifted: No
-- Changed who you were to fit in: Probably in the past, but not any more

LAYER EIGHT:
-- Age you hope to be married: I was way too young, 22
-- Numbers and Names of Children: One daughter, Madison
-- Describe your Dream Wedding: Borneo. at a monkey sanctuary (perfect Lori!)
-- How do you want to die: In my sleep
-- Where you want to go to college: Taking classes at USC right now
-- What do you want to be when you grow up: Retired
-- What country would you most like to visit: Lots. Morocco is at the top of my "I've never been and I want to go list."

LAYER NINE:
-- Number of illegal drugs taken: 0
-- Number of people I could trust with my life: prob about 6
-- Number of CDs that I own: No clue
-- Number of piercings: 2
-- Number of tattoos: 0 but I want one
-- Number of times my name has appeared in the newspaper?: No idea
-- Number of scars on my body: No idea
-- Number of things in my past that I regret: Hopefully not very many

Weekly Recap

Much like Mindy does, although a tad bit different:

The best part of the week: Getting my district math test scores back. My students rocked the test!! I am so proud of them. The test was very, very difficult and required mastery on skills when we just don't have time to stop and teach for mastery. But these kids rose to the challenge. I'm so happy!

The weekly read: Just finished American Wife by Curtis Suttenfeld. I enjoyed this fictional account of the life of a First Lady of the United States.

Food I'm Totally In Love With: Has to be the cupcakes from The Cupcakery in Las Vegas. Brought some back last weekend and YUM! It's a very good thing I can't order online and have them shipped.

Weekly Comment: The phone call from the parent of a child who is moving. To another school in another district. The parent called to thank me for being such a good teacher. That touched me!

I Am....

stolen from Emily

I live: in a cute 1950's ranch house that has an entire wall of windows in the living room and I absolutely adore it
I work: at a job I love, teaching school
I smell: honeysuckle, one of my favorite smells
I listen: to Sirius satellite radio in the car
I hide: a lot of myself from most people
I walk: every night
I write: in my blog
I see: my beautiful ten year old
I sing: in the car, out loud
I can: juggle my life most days
I watch: as many St. Louis Cardinals baseball games as I possibly can
I daydream: too much
I want: to go to every USC football away game
I cry: easily and too often
I read: a lot of fiction, and certain blogs ever day
I love: my parents, my family, my home
I rode: four wheelers every weekend when I was growing up, in the Las Vegas desert
I sometimes: buy really expensive purses
I fear: my daughter being hurt or worse, dying
I hope: that Obama is everything we want him to be, and more (good answer, Emily!)
I eat: not as well as I'd like
I drink: lattes from Starbucks
I play: with my class at PE
I miss: my grandfathers
I forgive: myself, even though it takes longer than I'd like
I drive: the car I've always wanted, a BMW 5 series
I lost: myself for a bit, but I've found myself again
I dream: vividly and I go through dream books to try and figure out my dreams
I kiss: a boy!
I hug: my baby girl
I have: the best friends on earth
I remember: most things
I don't: forgive easliy
I believe: that most people are good, until they lose my trust
I owe: Heather a lot, for getting me through some tough times
I know: how people can lie to you, even people you'd never expect
I hate: liars, more than anything
I wish: I knew what the future will bring
I wear: jeans whenever possible, preferably custom made ones
My ex: is an ex for a reason
Maybe I should: slow down sometimes
People would say that I'm: quiet
Life if full of: highs and lows
My past is: over and I need to remember that
I get annoyed when: people don't know what they are doing but still act like they know everything
Parties are: depending on who is there, they can be super fun
Tomorrow: I have to give a huge district test
Never in my life have I: been to Africa, although I want to go
When I was younger, I: wanted to live in California, and I do
When I'm nervous: I pick at my fingernails
When I was 5: I walked to kindergarten with the girl across the street
My life is not complete without: spending time with my daughter
If you visit my hometown: you are probably there to gamble
The world could do without: mosquitos
If I ever go back to school: I'm in school now, classes at USC!
And, by the way: I am getting the travel bug again

Birthday!

This weekend is my birthday. I'm so excited! My parents are planning a party for me, which means going HOME. And...my very good friend Heather, of Chasing Butterflies, is coming with me! Yay me! And yay for good friends wanting to celebrate...

The birthday plans include a fancy dancy hotel. We are staying at the Loews at Lake Las Vegas. Ooh la la! It's an absolutely gorgeous hotel, I'm thrilled we were able to get reservations. Saturday night my entire family is meeting for dinner at Steak, the best restaurant in Henderson. We plan to eat, drink, and party through the menu. And my parents have ordered a pecan bundt cake from Nothingbundtcake. Yum!

Heather and I plan to drink mojitos, laugh, talk, and enjoy our time in Las Vegas. What else are birthday weekends for?!

Word for 2009

Inspired by Mindy and Heather, I'm choosing a word for 2009. A word to try and live by, a word to sum up what I want for the year. My word is cherish.

1. To treat with affection and tenderness; hold dear: cherish one's family; fine rugs that are cherished by their owners.
2. To keep fondly in mind; entertain: cherish a memory.
   

I want to cherish myself, first. I don't always do that. And I want to cherish my daughter. My family. My friends. My students.

And cherish the things I hold dear. I am guilty of wallowing in self-pity way too much, of forgetting the good things I have, the blessings in my life. I need to remind myself to cherish...

2008 in review...

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?

Went to West Palm Beach and started classes at USC.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I didn't make any last year. This year I'm making two -- seeing more baseball and keeping in better touch with old friends.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Yes, one of the gals at work

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Yes, one of my parents' friends, who was always around when I was a child.

5. What countries did you visit?

England and France -- ooh la la!

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?

I can't say I lacked anything this year...

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

Election Day.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Moving on from a horrible boss and the residual from that.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Hanging on to bad feelings too long (mainly due to that horrible boss).

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Yes, I fell in May and hurt my knee. It's been a nightmare trying to get it 'right' -- here we are at the end of the year and it's still not right.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Has to be my car. Love my car. Love.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

My daughter, at times...last night she told me her life's work will be to ensure "everyone in the world has adequate housing." She's 10.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

My daughter, at times...she's 10 and wow, I'm not looking forward to the teenage years!

14. Where did most of your money go?

My gorgeous car and TRAVEL!!!

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Paris in April. London in November. Watching my daughter decide to take piano lessons and synchronized swimming, but not play volleyball.

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?

Something by the Ting Tings -- reminding me of West Palm Beach this summer...

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? 
b) thinner or fatter? 
c) richer or poorer?

Happier. Same. Richer.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Reveling in the moment. Sleeping in. Just being with my daughter.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Stressing about things I have no control over.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?

Christmas was spent with my family.

21. Did you fall in love in 2008?

Oh yeah, with places!

22. How many one-night stands?

Not a one.

23. What was your favorite TV program?

The Office. Cardinals baseball games. USC football games.

24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

No, but I have a strong dislike for someone who has hurt one of my friends.

25. What was the best book you read?

The First Hour I Believed

26. What was your greatest musical discovery?

The alternative music station on Sirius.

27. What did you want and get?

That gorgeous car!

28. What did you want and not get?

Can't think of a thing, unless a trip to Morocco...hmm, maybe in 2009!

29. What was your favorite film of this year?

Sex and the City

30. What did you do on your birthday?

I went to dinner with friends, spent a weekend in NYC...all the fun things!

31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Not falling and hurting my knee.

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?

A lot less casual than in the past.

33. What kept you sane?

A new boss. Lots of long walks. Good friends.

34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Hands down, Obama.

35. What political issue stirred you the most?

The presidential election.

36. Who did you miss?

I missed Carol, not working with her every day. And I missed Heather, for a while.

37. Who was the best new person you met?

I met Cara, at work. And re-met some people from my past. Very cool.

38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.

Bad situations aren't forever.

39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

I can't think of a single one right now!

Holidays

Just cannot shake the holiday blues...there's really no reason to be blue. Had a lovely Christmas, surrounded by my family. I'm not sick, my daughter isn't sick. I'm off work for another week. Have tickets to the Rose Bowl to see my favorite team. But for whatever reason, I'm....blah. Down in the dumps. Curled up in a ball with a book, not wanting to do much. Is it the season? Maybe. Is it the weather? Maybe, it's colder at my parents' house than at my house in Southern California.

Madison had a nice Christmas, got just about everything on her list. Santa found her even though we were away from home (whew!). My parents hosted our annual Christmas Eve party and the food was fabulous, the holiday nog (complete with brandy) flowed, and there was plenty of laughter. Christmas itself was nice, surrounded by more family.

Still not back at home...maybe we'll hit the road tomorrow. We need to be back in Southern California by Wednesday, in time for the Rose Bowl -- that's the only time frame.

Hope you all had a lovely and peaceful holiday!

England!

Back from a week in England...glorious! My daughter and I had the best time -- good mother/daughter bonding time (I'm hoping it will help come those teenage years!). We left last Saturday on a non-stop flight from LAX on Air New Zealand (side note, the best airline I've flown, by far, customer service-wise). Landed at Heathrow and had a car waiting. The car dropped us at our hotel in Kensington, close to Kensington Palace. It was so.cold.and.rainy -- so different than California! We loved it! Our room wasn't ready so we dropped our bags and did a very English thing -- went to TEA! We have a special tea room we love, the Muffin Man. By the time our trip was over, we had eaten at the Muffin Man EVERY DAY in London! A pot of tea for two and cucumber sandwiches fortified us for some shopping on Kensington High Street.


Then back to the hotel for a short nap (for me) and some TV watching (for Madison) before taking a cab over to the London Eye. There was a Christmas fair going on and we got some hot chocolate and crepes made before our eyes (like on the streets in Paris) to munch on while we wandered the booths. We crashed the first night and slept until noon....

....and then more shopping! Can you tell I love, love, love shopping in London?! Took a cab to Oxford Street, a great shopping street, and spent about three hours shopping (with another tea break). In the cab on the way over we passed something called the Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park and Madison really wanted to go, so that evening we went. Super cool -- she went ice skating (I watched, since I fell in May that kind of thing is out for me) and rode all kinds of rides. It was like a carnival. So fun for her. Then we went to dinner at a nice restaurant, didn't get back to the room until after ten. We had an early train to catch so we went straight to bed.

The next morning the hotel called us a car to Euston Station, where we caught a Virgin Train to the Midlands. London is wonderful but the English countryside is something special...we were met at the station by friends, who took us around Rugby (the town where the game was created). Went to a museum, a few shops, and a great little tea shop. Our friends, feeling sorry for us being out of America for Thanksgiving, cooked a turkey with all the British trimmings -- stuffing, roasted potatoes, parsnips, brussel sprouts, broccoli, and cauliflower with cheese sauce. For dessert (or pudding, as they say) we had a Christmas pudding with brandy sauce, a throughly British dessert. Very sweet gesture!


Coventry was the best day out, I think. Madison was fascinated by the story of Lady Godiva (Coventry was where she rode her horse naked through the street) and bought a tiny statue. We went to a parish church where a 'doom painting' has just been unveiled. The painting was painted in 1435 (the folks thought the end of the world was coming because there had been an earthquake) and depicts what the end of the world will be like. The Puritans, for some reason, didn't destroy the painting but merely whitewashed over it. It was forgotten for years but recently found. There is only one other painting like it in England but it has been repainted; this one has not. It was gorgeous! We visited the cathedral that was bombed by the Germans in November, 1940, and not rebuilt -- there is a new cathedral adjacent. Powerful is all I can say. And there is a fabulous museum in Coventry that was so kid-friendly; Madison was able to interact with all the exhibits. She had a really fun day!

The next day we took the train back to London and did some shopping for my mom (she sent me with a list). And then....THE LION KING!! What an amazing show! What a gorgeous theatre! WOW! and WOW again! Superb.


A bit more shopping and eating and then a flight back to Los Angeles...it was a marvelous trip that went by all too fast! If I didn't know myself so well, I'd be sad it was over, but I have a feeling I'll be back in England before too terribly long...and back to work tomorrow....

Things I have done...

Stolen from Heather...things I have done (the things I have done are in blue):

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Old Friends...

The past week or so I have reconnected with several old friends. Well, that's not exactly true. Last weekend I went to Vegas and yes, I connected with my cousin (who is my closest friend) but since we talk every day, is it really a reconnection. I guess it is since she lives in Alabama and I rarely see her -- so yes, I reconnected with her! We went out to dinner and dancing (she danced, I didn't because my knee still isn't right) with another cousin -- that is a reconnection. I haven't seen her in well over a year.

Today I went to a jewelry show hosted by an old friend I haven't seen in....at least two years. That's a crying shame considering she lives super close. But we both lead busy lives, time slips away, and before you know it, we are saying "Why don't we see each other more often?" -- it was great to see her today. I invited another friend to go with me to the show. This friend has been not as close recently as we've been in the past, but today was nice. (I don't like the word nice, by the way, it seems so base, and I don't know why I used it). The jewelry was by Park Lane, I had never heard of it but I liked it. I ended up paying full price for three pieces, paying $12 each for three pieces (one of which was priced at $49) and getting a $68 necklace free. I could only find a couple of pictures on the Park Lane website, but I bought this set. It looked retro to me, and I love retro jewelry! Plus I wear a lot of brown, and it will look nice (there's that word again).




















So overall, I'm pleased with my reconnections! It feels good to have seen these people again, and I wonder why I let the relationships slide a bit (all except the cousin I talk to every day...)...I need to work harder to keep my girlfriends close!

Oh Happy Day!

Woke up this morning (after a fitful sleep, so excited about the Obama victory!) ready to get on with the next chapter in this country's history. Ready for Obama's transition office to open (today! He's not wasting a moment of time) and ready for the wounds created by this campaign to start healing. And taking a moment to realize that some older, deeper wounds are healing too. Just reading the stories of people who fought in the Civil Rights Movement who never thought they'd see the day that a black man would be elected President of the United States made me tear up. Savor this victory for them and for all the people who never thought they'd see this happen, not in their lifetimes. This victory was by the people, for the people. Or as John McCain said, "The people have spoken, and they have spoken clearly."

I truly believe we have a chance for change in this country. We need it, we have to have it. The past eight years we have seen our civil rights diminish and the rights of the office of President increase (while the role of the courts and Congress have decreased). I travel overseas several times a year, and the way Americans are regarded has changed much during the past several years. I think that will change. I hope it will. We elected our best chance.

Kudos to the youth vote, for getting out there! And to all the first time voters, good for you!! I went this morning to buy a paper and talked to a 48 year old man who voted yesterday for the first time. He said it was the first time he felt like it mattered to him personally who won (he was an Obama supporter).

On a side note: my school held a mock election yesterday; all 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students were allowed to vote at their recesses. 340 students voted -- 86% of them voted for Obama. Wow!