Friday Letters

Friday Letters with Ashley...

Dear Hubby, Good luck on your agility test at the Fire Dept. tomorrow! And thank you for cleaning up the yard this week!

Dear Resume, Please work your way up to the top of the “yes” list at every district I’ve applied to thus far. I’m counting on you!

Dear House, Go clean yourself. I’m done.

Dear Pop, Have you always been this good? I knew I stopped drinking you for a reason…

Dear Elizabeth, I had fun playing, reading, chasing you around yesterday! You’re so cute and I love it when you try to say my name. Thank you for telling me there was a bug on my foot when we were playing outside with the hose yesterday evening. I’m glad you share my dislike for bugs. I might need to stop calling you Baby soon… you’re getting so big and you’re already so smart! I guess we know who you take after… jk, I’m not that conceited! ;)

Dear Ice Cream, Why must you be so bad for me?! :(

Dear VBS, Please go smoothly! As one of the game coordinators, I’m mildly concerned that we’re still looking for game supplies… looks like I’ll be shopping this weekend!

Dear Bloggy Friends, Come back tomorrow to enter my VERY FIRST GIVEAWAY!! I'm celebrating 75 followers and I'm excited. :)

Thanks, hugs and kisses! :)

Love, Claire

“The best times of your life have not yet been lived."

I got some Chinese carry out for lunch a couple weeks ago. This is what was written on the slip of paper inside my fortune cookie: "The best times of your life have not yet been lived."

Upon reading it, I stopped for a second, feeling unsure about it's meaning, and hung it up on the wall of my cubicle at the office.

I always used to be the kind of person who wanted to just fast forward until life was somehow easier or more interesting. I wanted to just grow up and get to the good stuff already... always looking forward to the next wonderful thing, the next dream come true.

Throughout the entire time I dated my now-husband, I remember just wishing I could fast forward to when we would finally be engaged, planning our wedding and our life together. I knew he was my one and only, he knew I was his, but we were so young (we started dating when I was 18, he was 17). So, we decided to wait until I was done with my bachelors degree. We finally got engaged after four years of dating, and for the next year I proceeded to wish time would fast forward to the wedding and honeymoon. And then, after our first year or so of marriage, I found myself wanting to fast forward to the time when we will have finally reached our career goals, to the time where we can buy a house, to the time when we can start a family...

I still feel that way sometimes, but lately I’ve been wishing that I could rewind. I want to go back to simpler times. I want to go back to the moment he proposed, go back to our wedding day and live it all over again. {One of my biggest regrets in life so far, is not getting video from our wedding, and not getting enough photos of our guests and family at the wedding.}

I want to spend time with my mom, back when she was healthy, and more so when she was sick. I want to watch old Judy Garland movies with her, hear her voice telling me to study hard, and the story about the night I was born. I want to revisit dinners with my grandmother, committing to memory every one of her hilarious comments, stories of our family history and how it used to be. I want to rewind to our family vacations up north when I was a kid, and spending time with my great grandparents. I want to go back to the times when I could spend the entire summer playing with friends, using nothing but our imaginations.

Then I look back on my college days. Even though they only ended a couple years ago, and I still miss living with my sister and some of our closest friends... having girl time whenever we pleased and staying up, laughing, all night. I miss acting in the school plays. I even miss the stress of writing papers and finishing assignments, and would happily trade off my bills to be a student again. Now, when I go back to school, I’ll have both to worry about.

It would appear that the glory days are over. Sometimes I wonder if the memories I make for the rest of my days on earth will be even better than, or at least just as good as, the past 25 years? Or does it all go downhill from here?

Those were my exact thoughts on the crummy day two weeks ago, when I ordered Chinese carry out and cracked open that fortune cookie.

“The best times of your life have not yet been lived.”

And even though I know it’s a stupid, mass-produced fortune cookie, it somehow managed to lift my spirits and I caught a glimpse of the light at the end of the tunnel. I get to keep my good memories as long as my mind will let me, and I will make more. Some will be just at good, if not better, than the ones I've already got. After all, life is what you make of it... with optimism and positivity, happiness is bound to happen at some point.

Maybe I will get my dream job, and Justin will get his. Maybe I’ll get to have the almost-perfect little family I’ve always wanted. Maybe I really will get to travel across Europe one day. But, maybe I won't. I know I can't have it all. And maybe I'll have other experiences that will change my heart. Maybe my heart will find new dreams, big and small.

Obviously, there are some things in life you just can’t escape… the junk that comes with trading in your Sesame Street “Days of the Week” underwear for your big-girl panties. Taxes, bills, living expenses, sometimes accidents and illnesses, and, eventually, just getting old.

But I believe we have more purpose than that. More purpose than just living, working and dying on this earth. We’re here to do something, to be a part of something much larger than our feeble minds can grasp. Maybe we will realize how great things are right in the moment, maybe it'll take time before we can see the value in our past experiences, and maybe we'll never even get a chance to draw that conclusion.

I guess the point is that no matter how wonderful or terrible things are or used to be, there is always something more to come, in this life and the next. And that something will bring us that much closer to our destiny, to the real the reason that God put us here in the first place.

Re: Date Night Movie

A few weeks ago, J and I had an "official" Date Night. We even planned it in advance: We'd have a nice dinner together and see a movie, stopping somewhere for treats to sneak in to the theater (don't lie, you've done it, too!).

Well, it was Date Day and we still hadn't picked our movie. And, so, I checked on some times and the following text-message conversation ensued:

Me - So, we could see Ted at 6:45… It’s the comedy with the teddy bear and the guy from Family Guy does his voice.

J - Ok. Sounds like a date.

Me - Wooo!

J - Any chance I can take you home after the movie?

Me - Haha. You can count on it! ;)

J - Lol. Can we say easy?

Me - Hahaha...

Side note: While Ted was definitely a funny movie, I found it a teeny bit stupid and rediculous. But, I guess that's what you get when one of the 3 leads is a teddy bear.

Those Girls

I've never been one of those girls... you know the ones who look cute the moment they step out of the shower, or after a long, hot day working or playing outdoors. The ones who literally throw their hair up, unbrushed, in a bun or top-knot simply by looping a hair tie around a few times, the ones who put no makeup on, none at all, and still manage to look like some kind of cosmetics ad.

I like to think that maybe those girls only exist in the movies, but of course you see them from time to time at the gym, the lake, the pool... {Seriously, you just went tubing. Your hair whipped around your face in the wind and the waves, and you still look that good? What's wrong with me!?}.  Shoot, after an 8 to 9-hour day at work (inside with air conditioning) my make-up needs to be, though it probably won't be, completely redone if I plan on going out. And my hair will have fallen even flatter than it was when I left the house that morning. It might be better if I actually knew how to do that stuff remotely well, but so far, no dice.

This past weekend, J and I took Friday off work and headed up north for a long-weekend of camping, boating, and quality couple time. It was fabulous! Our campsite was RIGHT on the water, and every night while we sat by the fire pit and had dinner, we got to watch the sun set. Best camping trip ever, hands down. I will post some pictures later.

But, I noticed something while we were camping that weekend... those girls were everywhere!!

Those girls, in their hot-girl disguises, primping in the bathrooms, walking strutting around in cute outfits, wearing eyeliner and cutesy hair-do's, and too much jewelry to have just slept in a tent or with 18 (ok, maybe like 5) people crowded into a camper. To be honest, most of them were of the high school and college age-groups. And, yes, I'm being a tad sarcastic about this topic. But, still.

Who brings their hot-girl disguises to a camp ground!?

What are you doing?! You just slept in a tent. And you're not too sleepy to wake up, shower, and get your hair did before the bathrooms are closed for cleaning at 8:30? You really want sunscreen and bug spray on that outfit? How many outfits did you bring, anyway? Who does your laundry? Your eyeliner isn't going to turn into raccoon eyes in this heat? You think those 2" hoop earrings are a little much, considering the venue for today's activities?

Here are my favorite one-liners that I overheard this weekend...

  

"Honey, will you go get Mommy's flat iron from the green bag? I left it on the picnic table."

{Apparently, it starts early...}

"Shoot, my bronzer is broken!"

{Since you need it while you're on the boat all day?}

"I think I'm going to wear my white shorts and floral tank... but I'm not sure."

{Understandable. I'd be weary about wearing white shorts, too, if the risks of grass, dirt, and other outdoor stains were this great.}

I honestly felt awkward stumbling into the bathroom at 8:00 am with all these chicks putting their faces on... And it got me thinking: I've only been married for TWO years! Have I already let myself go?? J assured me that was a no, but I guess my insecurities can still get the best of me.  To be fair, J was the one who suggested I not bring any hair tools and minimal makeup, "just in case you felt like you needed it, not that you'd have to use it." So, all I had with me was a brush, hair ties, bobby pins, and foundation. Sure, it might have been because he didn't want to be stuck alone, waiting for me, while I took an hour to get ready to go on the boat or something. But, considering he was the one who stripped me of the necessary products and tools, J only had himself to blame if I wasn't up to par.  Thankfully he's wonderful and made me feel beautiful anyway. :)

Monday Made It - Summer School Classroom :)

It's about time I did another teachery post!!

Right now I'm teaching a summer math class for 15 students in the 3rd and 4th grades. I'm very excited about it... but it's such a tease!!  I just can't wait to have a class of my own for longer than 5 weeks... hiring season isn't over yet, so I'm still hopeful!

At the very least, this summer school job is a wonderful learning experience to prepare me for when I finally find my home. :)

Enjoy these poorly taken cell-phone pics of my Summer School Classroom :)

Hopefully you can see them all, if not and you have a question, leave a comment!

Classroom Norms

Story/Word Problems Anchor Chart ~ My coworker, Cindy, and I decided on this procedure last yeah, and she wrote it for us to display.

I know already showed you these pencil cups, but I just wanted you to see them in action. So far, I love them. :)

This is my rotations board... Inspired by this one from Fun in Room 4B. I'm enlarging it in the hopes you'll actually be able to read it lol.

The two charts at the bottom show the students in each group, and when some of the students get pulled for some small-group reading.

I have 4 groups, I just named them Group A, B, C & D. I know, soooo creative, right?!

There are 4 stations... M.A.T.H.

Math Facts (anything that focuses on practicing math facts and fact fluency at the students' grade level)
At Your Seat (worksheets, ind. practice) - anything not finished while at this station is homework for my class because we only meet 1/2 a day and there's no time to make things up. Obviously,you could do it differently if you liked.
Teacher's Choice (small group instruction or any activity of my choice).
Hands On (any hands-on, interactive activity... creating some kind of project, utilizing technology, etc.).


I cut up a $1 pocket chart from Target's Dollar Spot (LOVE!) into fourths, left the white cardboard stuck in, and I write the activity for each station on the plastic with a dry-erase marker. Works like a charm. Sometimes there is only 1 activity, somethimes they can choose between two, sometimes they have to do both! Do what's best for you and your class. :)


If you need more than 4 rotations or need to make more groups, you can do a variation of this and make the stations more specific... like math with technology; seat work; meet with teacher; hands on math; math facts; math game/partner math; math by yourself... etc. But, I thought only having the 4 would be easier to find things to do that fit with the category! Haha.

What To Do When You're Done center... for those kids that finish first and bug you about what they should do next.

I've got assorted flash cards and fact cards in the basket, which is from Target $1 spot last year. My flash cards consist of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, sight word flashcards, and other grade level flash cards in the ELA category, as well as informational fact cards from Target $1 spot (I have 3 packs... space, animals and the US States. Target has others, too!).

I have informational magazines in the boxes, which are labeled with the titles... I may or may not change those up after a while. The sign above says... "Flash cards ~ quiz yourself or a partner who is also finished with the assignment; Info Cards ~ Learn something new!; Read-to-self ~ Choose one of the available magazines or books."

This station is already a life saver, because most of my students will distract others and themselves if they're done early.

Have the kids highlight their names before they turn in papers = no more no name papers! Yay!! After getting 8 no-namers on the FIRST DAY I decided this station was a must.

Find the cute sign here: Teaching In Flip Flops

When the kids "Fill My Bucket" to the brim (class reward), they choose a teacher's treat.... AKA - crazy hair day, class game, free choice time, pj day, etc.

It's just an empty Crystal Light container + colored computer paper + mod podge + a cutesy label.

Multiplication Soccer Ball Toss Game -- Write numbers 1-12 on a small (or large) soccer ball. Whatever numbers your pointer fingers land on are the numbers that make up the fact you say aloud... i.e. your fingers land on 12 & 2, student says 12 x 2 = 24. In the extra spaces I added repeats of 3-9. Could be done for adding, too.

Multiplication Cube Toss Game -- Ice cube trays from Target $1 Spot, write #s 0-12 on little sticky labels & stick em inside in a random order, & get 2 Base-10 unit cubes (or something like them). In the extra spaces I added repeats of 3-9. Use a recording sheet to monitor. The kids looooved this!!!

 

2-3 Digit Addition Cube Toss -- See explanation above, except I did one tray counting by 10s up to 180, and then used random 2-dig numbers in the other tray. You could use an addition or subtraction recording form for this one, but right now we're doing addition. :)

Sunday Socializing

Link. it. up.

1. What is your dream job?

Teaching 5th grade, all subjects. Or 4th grade. Or 6th grade. Whatever grade is the top of the elementary school. I love upper-elementary... love it!

It depends on my phase in life, though... like, if I were a parent, I'd ideally want to job share or be part time, if I could afford it, so I could spend more time with my family.

2. If you had just won the lottery and didn't need to work for money, what would you do with your time?

I'd read, travel, spend time with family and friends. I'd like to learn to cook and bake more things, decorate my house, make crafty things and become one of those DIY people who have stores on Etsy.

I think I might teach part time.... or work as a para. Definitely not full time, though.

3. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

The realistic job? A teacher. Fantasy job? An actress or singer. Typical girl... you know. lol.

4. What piece of career advice would you give to someone just starting out in your field?

Shoot. I dunno... Do your best in the classroom and get to know your co-workers and administrators. This is really hard for me... I'm a very awkward person and I suck at small-talk.





5. Biggest Pet Peeves either in life or in blogging or at work

Hmmm... people who lack common courtesy. People who let others do all the work.



6. Biggest Fears

Never getting a job. Losing loved ones. Spiders. Needles. Drowning. I'm afraid of a lot of things...

Veggie Skewers

I made a yummy dinner for our friends Friday night! Veggie skewers & burgers on the grill. And they were so good!! Oooh OOOO!

I always feel so accomplished when I cook something that other people like.

The veggies pre-grilling... they're on a white plate, not just on the table lol.

Veggie Skewers

(Serves 4-6)

1. Chop up assorted veggies of you preference into large-bite sized pieces. I used mushrooms (sliced in half), 1 red onion, 1 tomato, and 1 red, 1 yellow and 1 orange pepper. While you do this, soak the skewers in water for a couple minutes.  This will prevent them from burning later on the grill. 

2. Put them on skewers. I found mine in the grilling section of you grocery store. Be careful with the softer veggies... some of my mushrooms fell apart a bit. 

3. In a small bowl, mix together your marinade... I used 2 Tbsp. of extra virgin olive oil, 2 tsp oregano, 2 tsp garlic, 1 tsp salt, & 1 tsp pepper. It was delish. 

4. Arrange the veggie skewers on a plate.

5. Drizzle the marinade over the veggies, or use a cooking brush. 

6. Allow them to sit with the marinate on for at least 20 mins. 

7. Grill over medium-low heat, not directly over the flame, until veggies are cooked through. 

* One problem we used to run into is that the ends of the wooden skewers often burn.  You can avoid this by soaking the skewers in water for a couple minutes.