Fifty cents...

I forgot my lunch at home... that's how it started. So after setting out my afternoon lessons, I headed up the hill to Kroger for a can of soup and a soda. Once in the store however I noticed the employees changing the seasonal section and wandered over to see what goodies were marked down.

It was then that I saw them... play balls for only fifty cents. As we've been practicing "catch" in gym I was delighted and found thirteen for my students and I to play with. Later, at recess I showed my little ones how to bounce a ball on the wall and catch it. This little dear was amazed at how easy it suddenly was to catch.

I smiled...
Fifty cents...
a pink plastic ball...
coordination...
exercise...

sure...
but, more importantly...
sheer joy...

A cool evening in the park...

Last night we shared some pizza at Blacklick Metro Park and then wandered over to one of their wonderful playgrounds to let our two youngest play. A slight breeze was blowing as twilight started to settle around us.

As I stood, leaning on the swing post, I smiled. A happy memory was made. Nothing fancy, just time together... no rushing about... all the children feeling peaceful... Everyone enjoying a meal... I felt like I was seeing a Visa commercial... for what we were sharing was truly, "priceless".

I hope that you are able to find some quiet time for you and yours sometime soon. This day and always... I pray that you are blessed.

We cracked an egg...

I have eleven new dear ones. School has been in session a week now and as I get ready for the coming days ahead, I smile. I sincerely like my new students; they are nice little people. This past Friday as we worked together, cooking for the first time, I stopped to snap a few photos. In the calm of the moment I was struck by how very wonderful it is to teach small children. Joy... true joy... all from cracking eggs and half a blueberry muffin...

Tomorrow we welcome our new pet, a lovely blue beta fish. We'll vote on what to call him and begin our final preparations for this Friday's Grandparents' Day celebration... I am so glad to be a teacher.

I pray that your week is one of peace. I wish you only good things. May you be blessed.

Yay!

I'm sitting here typing as I wait for my husband.
I have a smile on my face and I chuckle happily when I think that the Kindergarten teacher is married to the soon to be Toy Store manager. A very long time ago my husband was an assistant manager at the holidays and really enjoyed it. I am happy for this opportunity. What a nice blessing.

Patience

Yes...
that is a real guinea pig...

Yes...

it is wearing sunglasses...

Sigh...

If only we all had the patience of dear "Lucy".

Harvest...

It seems so long ago that my Kindergarten students planted our class garden. Carefully my students weeded and joyfully they watered tiny sprouts. Day after day my little charges and I tended our patch hopefully.

School ended and summer begin. Our plants continued to thrive. Many lunches were accompanied by cucumbers and tomatoes. We even had a memorable "Corn Party" one afternoon to the delight of all.

In less than two weeks I will begin my third year of teaching. I am looking forward to a very good year. Just like our class garden, my new little ones will need lots of TLC. Step by step and day by day, my students will grow.

What a blessing it is to be a teacher. What a gift that a "new year" offers... new dear ones... new opportunities... new adventures!

This night and always, I pray that whatever road you find yourself on, that you are comforted by the knowledge that you are loved. That you have a Creator who loves you.... That you are meant for good things! May you find blessings in the coming year! Peace to you.

Remembering a friend...

I've just come home from the funeral home. A very kind woman I used to work with died at only forty eight. A teacher... An artist... A mother... A wife... A friend... She was so many different things to so many people.

Tears welled in my eyes when I thought about what her absence will mean to so many... That I'd never get that chance to meet sometime for lunch and, "catch up".

On the way home though, I talked with my eldest who had been one of her students and we reminisced. Though my friend had only forty eight years on this earth, we both agreed she had used them well.

I pray that her family is comforted and that everyone who knew my friend... each student... each tiny baby who her "Baby Bundles" project helped... each individual whose life was made better by knowing a very remarkable woman... I pray that the love she has shared... the work she began will be continued...

I trust that someday... We will meet again...

This day and always ...
I bid you peace. I ask that you be blessed.