November Gratitude #16

November 16: Today I'm grateful...

I am grateful, but I'm not having a great day. I lost my patience today at school. I hate it when I do that. I have a certain class this year that I just haven't meshed with yet. It's frustrating for all of us. And today, I lost it.

So, I guess my gratitude today has to do with admitting when I'm wrong. I'm not very good at that. I hate being wrong. I got a grip and apologized to the student who took the brunt of the "losing it." We had a talk about her behavior (in a calmer and quieter way), and I apologized.

I don't like losing my patience, but I'm grateful that I can admit when I went too far. Tomorrow will be a better day!

November Gratitude #15

November 15: Today I'm grateful for perspective. I've had a week of feeling pretty low, and yesterday, a friend reminded me that, compared to so many others, I'm pretty lucky. When I'm feeling lonely, I need to remember that there are people in the world who are truly alone. I am not. When I'm sad, I need to remember all the blessings in my life. I've known sadness, but I have much, much love. Many others don't. Perspective is a good thing.

November Gratitude #14

November 14: Today I'm grateful for my inspirations. I had many great teachers, but my 2 favorites were Gloria Countryman (2nd grade) and Idella Spann (8th grade Honors English). I know they both shaped the teacher that I am today. They were tough but fun, and they challenged me to be the best I could be. I'm eternally grateful to them both, and I still want to be just like them!

More teachers who greatly impacted my life include:

Donald Whyte

Lee Spann

L'louise Bowman

Steve Brockway

Dave Tobias

Barbara Johnson

John Gibson

Susan Morgan

Jan Rawley

You each made a lasting impression on my life, and therefore, the lives of many other students as well. Since you all shaped the teacher that I've become, you're touching a whole new generation of students. Thank you!

November Gratitude #13

November 13: I'm grateful for a cozy couch, a flat screen TV, a warm fireplace, 2 former Hawkeyes in an NFL football game, and a boyfriend to snuggle.

November Gratitude #11 & #12

November 11: I'm grateful for fall and the beautiful days it's brought. The leaves have been beautiful, and the temps have been pretty close to perfect. I know it won't last forever, but I have enjoyed every second of it.

November 12: I'm grateful for my health. I've been trying to take better care of myself this fall (although the eating at today's tailgate would say something different). I'm grateful that I'm healthy, and I want to get my weight down so I STAY healthy!

November Gratitude #10

November 10: Today I'm grateful for books! My students are in the middle of literature circles, and it's my favorite time of the year. I love seeing them discuss books with each other. My own book club meets tomorrow, and I look forward to it every month. We're discussing Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain. I have a bit to finish it, but I'm enjoying it a lot. He definitely doesn't mince words. Get it? Mince? Hee hee. If you're interested in what else my book club is reading, our book lists are down the very bottom of this page.

My Kindle, Harrison Ford, has completely changed my reading habits. I read so much more now, and I take advantage of every spare moment of opportunity to read. I wonder if there is a way to cash in on my love of reading... is anyone out there willing to pay a girl for reading her life away? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

Thought not.

November Gratitude #9

November 9: Today, I'm grateful for my Andrew. I never knew that a person could feel so much like home for me. I never knew I could be as open and as honestly myself as I am with him. I never knew that I could find someone so caring, dependable, loving, and wise. He makes every day worth living. He loves me for who I am, and he just wants me to be happy. Who could ask for anything more?