my new love

The other day the hubs and I went up to visit some friends and family. We were going to see his mama, aunties, and grandma for Mother's Day, and some friends that live up in the area while we were up that way. We were actually very productive when it came to getting all of our visits in. We had brunch with some friends from our small group that moved up there a few months ago. After brunch we went to the hospital where his family was visiting his cousin who had just had her baby (everyone is having babies!). Then we got to see more family and friends after the hospital visit. All in all, we had four very nice visits that day. 


Anyhow, on to the juicy bit of the story ... we had a few hours to kill between finishing brunch and visiting the hospital. So, hubs took puppy to the dog park and I went shopping. Not intending to buy anything. Really. I was just happy to walk around by my lonesome and look at nice pretty things. It had been a while since I had time to shop (aka: look around and admire pretty things that I will never own). Then I passed a shoe store. And I thought, "Eh, I might as well go in. They might have a nice pair of black flats."  I may not have mentioned this before, but, I have been looking for some nice black flats for a while now. I have had a wonderful pair for a few years now, sadly the sole is worn down and floppy which makes me trip in front of all my students, graceful, let me tell ya. Plus, puppy got a hold of one of the shoes when he was a wee little fellow and chewed one of the little bows off. They are not so pretty to wear any more, but they are the only black flats I have, so when I need to wear black shoes, out them come. It's a little pathetic. 


Anyhow. I went into the store thinking I might find something, but not hoping because I have been looking for about a year now with no luck. After wandering around for a while I spotted them. The perfect black shoe. And I had a coupon. But they didn't have my size. Of course that would be my luck. Thankfully, the nice lady at the store said they could order them for me. So they did. And they arrived at my door step this afternoon. I heart them so much. They are one of my comfiest paris of shoes by far. So conformable I am temped to order (or go buy) another pair of shoes by this shoe company right this very minute. If only I had another coupon. 

from here

When I wear them it's like walking on a marshmallow. That's why I love them so much. I'm usually very indecisive about making purchases, and even once I do I regret it terribly. Especially for an expensive purchase like this one. That is not the case with these little cuties. I think this may have been one of the smartest shoe purchases ever. I think as a teacher you must have comfy shoes, I have found mine and I want more :) Have you ever tried B.O.C. shoes before? I think I'm hooked. 


... I'm trying to think of what outfit I can wear tomorrow so I can wear these little pretties. .... oh, how exciting! Do you love getting a nice new pair of shoes? What kind is your favorite? 

  

two more days

That's right, folks. Two more days until I'm a real live teacher of one year. That's my big accomplishment for the moment. What's yours?

Also, I love rainy weather. gray, drizzly days are my favorite. Most especially when I can spend them at home, with a book, and maybe some tea or some other equally yummy warm beverage. I could live there. some place where it is like that all the time. oh, it would make my heart happy. Not that I don't love sunshine, I do. But days like those just make my heart sing. What kind of days make your heart sing?

that's all from my scattered little brain for the moment :)

to the mamas :)

I have known a few mamas here and there and it seems like I find out one of my friends is going to be a mama pretty much every day now (though, I'm sure that's not completely true). I am just so thankful for all of the many wonderful mamas out there (especially my own mama and my mother-in-law). They do so much and often don't get much thanks. Moms have to have a lot of patience (and a lot of everything else too, I'm thinking that all these things are given to you the moment you become a mama. Like the baby comes with Super-Mama Powers. Please let me keep this perfect idea in my mind and don't spoil it for me, it's the only way I'll even think about having children :). I'm pretty sure if I had been my mom, I would have killed me already, thankfully my mom didn't do that, even though I was pretty rotten. ...probably I will get pay back for that by having a daughter who is even worse than I was. Oh, boy. I hope not. .. ugh. Sorry Mom. And thanks, for putting up with me all those years :)

So Happy Mother's Day to all of the wonderful mamas I know, and don't know. You are loved and appreciated even if it may not seem like you are. And a special Happy Mother's Day to all you brand spankin' new mamas out there. I hope you are having a blessed day.

ok. that's all. See ya tomorrow.

lovely day

Today the freshman class went on a little outing, to a Bats baseball game. I was going as a chaperone. At first I was a little apprehensive. Lots of kids to watch, not in a classroom. But then we herded the kids into the busses and went on our way. 

It was a wonderful trip. Nothing eventful happened (which is exactly what we were hoping for) and all of the kids returned to school with us that afternoon (at least I think they did :). The weather was perfect. The kind of weather that makes you want to sit outside all day long. Which we did. Weather with bright blue skies and white puffy clouds. Sunshine shinning on me with a little breeze tiptoeing around the whole time. I sat and chatted with two of my teacher friends about the students (and yelling at them to keep their little hands and faces to themselves), cakes, boxes of muffins, summer time, and more. It was really quite lovely. Quite enjoyable. So much so that I did not want to leave. Which is really saying something, because I do not enjoy baseball games. I think it was just a little blessing of the most perfect weather and company one could be given. 

I wish I could do it again tomorrow... 

But for now, I'm going to cut up lots of Plunder Points so I can make sure all my kiddos pass this here class of mine (plunder points gives them the opportunity to give them back to me in two days for extra points on their grade :) ... just helping them out however I can.  

cheers. 

1000 gifts

As I was driving home this afternoon I looked up in the sky (for an ever so brief moment) and started thinking of all the things I have been blessed with. Which got me to thinking about my 1000 gifts list. That I stopped at 63 way back in September. I started reading the book again, "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp, it's a shame I stopped. I have found that I am a loverly person when I am thankful and joyful than when I am negative and in a rut. So I am counting all of the gifts my God had blessed me with, a few at a time.

64. I passed KTIP! No longer will I have to do any of that evil stuff any more :)

65. puffy white clouds in shapes of dragons, bunnies, and owls in the bright blue sky.

66. my hydrangea bush is blooming! beautiful soft pink and purple blooms.

67. there are only eight more days of school!

68. I have nearly survived my first year of teaching, thank you Jesus.

69. yoga pants and eating tasty peanut butter ice cream. contradiction? eh, it's the best of both worlds, so no :)

70. puppy kisses greeting me when I walk in the door.

71. zumba with friends.

72. peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

73. changes.

74. a marshmallow of a bed and a good nights sleep.

75. orange-blue-purple-pink-yellowish watercolor splashed sunrises.

Happy Monday, y'all.

a walkabout

For the past few months I have been feeling as though the title of this blog should encompass who I am. And while I love "Cheery Bees" I didn't truly feel as though it gave even an inkling of who I am or what I am about. I wanted people to see the title of this here little blog of mine and draw a little connection between it and what they might expect to find written in the posts. So I have been chewing on the idea of changing my blog title to something a little closer to my heart. After a long while of thinking on this I decided I would do it. Change it over. Make it a little more personal (if a title can really be that personal), or at least put some of me into it.

So I did.

Not many things have been consistent in my life. I have moved more times than I count, lived in more rooms and towns than I can really keep straight. Making new friends and saying good-bye to dear ones has always been a part of life for me. I feel like I have always been on one journey or another, if it's not a physical one it's mental or spiritual.

The majority of my childhood was spend in Papua New Guinea. This is not a well known fact to most people I know. I'm not even sure I have shared that before here. But I did. Papua New Guinea is a wonderful island country and I am blessed to be able to say that's where I was raised.

via

Because of the close proximity to Australia and friendships that I have had with many Australians (who are all wonderful) I became familiar with terms that are used Down Under. One of my favorite being "walkabout" which pretty much means journey.

And that is what life is about. Especially mine. Just like you have in the past, you will find my musings about little adventures the Hubs and I go on or just about daily little adventures that come my way. I am excited to share this walkabout with you. And apologize for any confusion this little change may cause you. But I think it's time and I'm excited about it.

Have a lovely Saturday!

ktip = check!

I am pleased to announce that I have finished my KTIP. Binder and tasks that is. I still have my last meeting. But that's nothing...

If you are a teacher in Kentucky, or if you have ever taught in the state of Kentucky, you will be able to truly understand what a miraculous feat this is.

For some reason, first year teachers in the state of Kentucky are given the task of completing the impossible. KTIP - the Kentucky Teacher Internship Program (Killing Teachers via Incredible Pain). Basically your life. And the only thing that consumes you and your first year of teacher. You "get" to write up fancy detailed lesson plans, reflections of the lessons, give all kinds of assessments and graph the progress of your class.... and a lot of other things. A lot. And that still might be an understatement. Pretty much, it makes me want to crawl into a little dark hole with a box of muffins and never come out. Ever. Or at least, not until all 200,000 papers and lessons and reflections are finished. But I couldn't do that. I had to look the enemy straight in the face, and type my little fingers to death. Figure out how to make fancy charts that show all kinds of data (thank you, Jesus, for my genius hubby who can actually make charts).

In the week that I had to get through the last bit of KTIP I thought I was going to die. And also my house fell apart. Which pretty much means I have died. For those of you who don't know me very well, I cannot stand a mess. Dirty or unorganized. If a space of mine is either of these that means I'm not feeling well. If both are out of whack, then I am hiding in that little dark hole with my box of muffins.

I only have one meeting left and then I am done with this torture grand undertaking.

And also, I only have one more Friday with the kids. I have almost survived them! I have almost survived my first year of teaching. Praise the Lord!! : )