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It's getting colder outside...
So time to light a fire and curl up with a good book. What am I reading right now? Cathy Yardley's Baby, It's Cold Outside. Next up are Un-Veiled by Eileen Rendahl and the hard to find Trouble in Paradise by Jill Shalvis. Don't ask me why, but this one took me months to track down! I'm also catching up on my Shel Silverstein poetry, as we begin our grade-wide Poetry Merge project.
What are you reading?Labels: books
Blast from the past...
 Tonight is my high school reunion. How in the heck have 10 years already gone by? Due to scheduling changes and the cost of flying cross country over Thanksgiving weekend, I'm not there. And that makes me a little sad. I'm sorry I'm missing an opportunity to catch up with old friends I've lost touch with. If only because the Curious George in me wants to know what everyone's up to.
The highlight of my night so far has been two calls from the reunion. One came from NY C, who wanted to give me a chance to pass along messages. I told her she really just needed to take a picture of me on a popsicle stick with her. She could carry it around, and it would be like I was really there!
The other call came from S, one of my oldest friends. We've lost touch over the last few years, but every so often I think about her. Hearing her voice again after so many years was a total blast from the past. I can picture her standing there, smiling down at me just like when we were kids. Only now she's a mom. Of three! She sounded so happy, and it made me wish I were there to give her a hug and laugh over the last 10 years of our lives. But it's all good. In the long run? I've kept in touch with those people most important to me, and the rest? Who knows? Maybe I'll get to see them sooner than I think. Labels: random musings
Let's talk turkey...
 Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! May you all find much in your life to be thankful for, and even more to enjoy. I'm thankful for my friends and family, for a life I love, and for all the opportunities I have. Labels: holidays
Never thought I'd see the day...
when I couldn't even walk into a synagogue without having to explain myself. I attended an even tonight at one of the local synagogues. Not only was I stopped at the door by a security guard in full flak gear (is that the right term??), but he wasn't about to let me pass if I gave the wrong answer. Now, I realize that occasionally I might be what some people consider intimidating...on a bad day. When I'm hungry, tired and have dealt with screaming third graders for 15 hours. But tonight? Tonight I was good. I had good food with good conversation. I was happy, if not a little sleepy after my smashed potatoes. I was looking downright innocent. Still, this guy wasn't about to let me pass. What is this world coming to when I can't walk into a place of worship without announcing my intentions and waiting for clearance? I'm sure if I'd even attempted to joke with this man, he'd have pulled out the handcuffs without evening giving me a chance to explain. What a sad state of affairs when people are so scared, they wouldn't dream of keeping a temple open without an armed (and trained) guard around to protect the people within. *sigh*Labels: Jewish musings, random musings
Seven Random Thoughts...
Christina tagged me with the Random Things Meme the other day. But first, a moment for the rules.Random Meme Rules1. Link to the person’s blog who tagged you.2. Post these rules on your blog.3. Don't drink anything over the keyboard while reading this meme on other pages.4. List seven random and/or weird facts about yourself.5. Tag seven random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.6. Stretch.7. Let each person know that they have been tagged by posting a comment on their blog. So here you go, seven weird and/or random things about me:1. I have a minor obsession with all things monkey/chimpanzee/gorilla or orangutan. I think baby chimps are just about the cutest animal out there, not to mention often the funniest to watch. 2. Growing up I was convinced there were monsters under my bed. So I insisted my bed be pushed up against the wall. I then lined up my stuffed animals against that side of the bed to prevent said monsters from attacking. Apparently my very young self was not quite quick enough to recognize they could just come out the open side.3. I was a child model. My parents had a friend in advertising, and apparently I had a face buyers would trust. I was in a regional add for Meyer's ice cream. I was also in a print ad for a local company known for selling camp clothes and sweatsuits. 4. I hate to be bored. I will often over schedule myself in an effort to avoid boredom. Which leads to number 5...5. I'm not very good at simply relaxing and being. Too much nervous energy? The fear someone might call me lazy? Not sure why, but I'm very bad at it.6. I'm a girly-girl. I like facials, manicures, massages and pedicures. I don't particularly like mud or dirt, and I especially hate them under my fingernails. Makes gardening difficult unless I have gloves. Even then? If any dirt gets inside? I'll spend half my time trying to get the dirt out.7. I remember strange television shows from when I was a kid, but have no idea who starred in them or what they were about; all I remember is their names.And now the really fun part...I get to tag six friends to participate in the meme. Play if you're up to it, but if not, I won't be offended. At least, not much. So: MeganMs. K. JillLaceyMs. CEileen...you're up!Labels: memes, memories, random musings
Flashback...
Tonight marked the first skate party of the year for the school where I work. Every year they have anywhere from 2-4 skate parties, and all last year I managed to not go. Don't get me wrong, I love rollerskating (four wheels, people, four wheels). When I was 8 it was the epitome of cool to have a rollerskating birthday party. But I'm older now. And rollerskating? Doesn't really have that cool factor any more. Still, I agreed to join the rest of my grade-level teammates. I walked through the door and was instantly transported back in time 20 years. The smell of sweaty feet assailed us, and once again I was 8 years old. Unfortunately, I don't fall like an 8 year old anymore. In a poorly executed move to help a fallen kid, and managed to go down like a chopped oak, landing smack on my tuches (and cell phone). The cell phone, thankfully, is fine. The tuches? Not so much. I'm hurting, and will most likely be stiff and limping tomorrow. On the brightside? To quote a student, "Third grade teachers rock!!"And really, that makes it all worth it. Right?Labels: geeky fun, happy times, life, teaching
Just a theory...
***Please note, the following post is purely the product of a mind in desperate need of more sleep...Friday night brought me on my semi-annual Shabbat dinner at the Rabbi's house. Only the hostess was not one of the rabbi's, and I don't think I actually saw any of the rabbi's. But that's neither here nor there. No, what's important is that I went. I left my comfort zone behind and attended dinner with 9 strangers, with the express goal of having a good time. And I did. Have a good time that is. But more importantly, I was remdinded of a theory of mine. See, in Judaism we have many, many, many...many rituals. We have rituals for births, deaths, marriage, bread, wine, dinner...you name it, there's a ritual. We even have one for handwashing before a meal. Which is more like hand rinsing, but again neither here nor there. So the ritual for hand rinsing goes a bit like this: -Wait in line for the sink with the special cup. -Talk to your neighbors while waiting. -Rinse hands while laughing about how you can never remember the words to the prayer; say prayer.-Walk silently back to table to await the blessing over the challah. This last step is the most important. We are not allowed to talk until after we've had a bite of bread. And we can't have the bread until it's been blessed and passed out by whomever is reciting the blessing. (See what I mean about rituals?) So we sit there, silent. Or as silent as we can be, which isn't much. Mostly we end up giggling about the fact we're even expected to remain silent. There are hand gestures, charades, really bad sign language, and head bobs, all in attempts to communicate without using actual words. This is where my theory comes in. I believe that this hand-rinsing ritual was not, in fact, created because it was important to remain silent until the bread has been blessed. Nope. My theory? The whole thing was devised to see just how long you can make a room full of hungry Jews be silent. I know, I know. It probably has some very solemn and important meaning behind it. But it's my theory and I'm sticking to it.Labels: Jewish musings, shabbat
Well, that was unexpected...
Let's just say I'm a little dazed and confused this afternoon, folks. First I had plans for tonight. I even baked lemon bars! Then suddenly the plans are cancelled. Not sure what all changed in 18 hours, but I'm left with a quizzical look and the general feeling of, "Huh..."Needless to say, I started passing out the lemon bars to my coworkers, in an effort to not eat the entire pan for my dinner. Because really, there's no need to go on a total sugar binge to combat "huh." I even succeeded in getting rid of half the pan, but still ended up bringing the rest home. So far I'm resisting. I'm holding strong.But dang, those bars are yummy!Labels: food, random musings
Be Deena!
So, after a long hiatus, Ms. K. and I went out dancing last night. I should have known we were in for a night of laughing our tushes off when our conversation began something like this: Ms. K.: "Wanna go see The Boys tonight?"Me: "I don't know. I have an all day staff meeting tomorrow."Yes, I really did say those words. Sent us both into fits of laughter. When we finally calmed down I heartily agreed we needed to go hear The Boys play. We spent the first two hours or so with the dance floor all to ourselves, which while a little creepy (what with all the strange people staring), was also a blast. Meant lots of room to dance without having to worry about being stepped on, or elbowed, or spilled upon. At one point Tom, the drummer, called out a happy birthday for Deena. "Where's Deena?" he asked, while the rest of us looked around for the girl who would claim ownership. Out of the blue a pair at the bar began to yell to me, "Be Deena! You'll get lots of hugs and drinks! Be Deena!"Needless to say I bypassed their suggestion. And a might good thing too, as the real Deena showed up shortly after.Labels: happy times
What's wrong with this picture?
 Ms. K. found these jars at a grocery store in Renton, of all places. And in November. Wrong. It's all just so wrong.Of course, I forgot to ask why she was even looking for them. Hmmm...I'll have to go check on that.Labels: Jewish musings
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