Friday, December 24, 2010

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!  I hope everyone out there has a warm and special time with family and friends this season.

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Holiday Season

This holiday season has been filled with baking, decorating and holiday parties.  Busy, busy!  I find that December is sometimes so busy that it is difficult to actually have joy in the season.  I enjoy doing all of those things - baking cookies, cinnamin rolls, and peppermint bark, decorating the tree, and seeing friends, but sometimes it is all too much.  I find myself craving simplicity and peace and ways to remind myself what this is all about.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Finding Kind

We have been showing this documentary to our students the past two weeks and we are going to have discussions about it in small groups after the break.  I think it is really important to say to girls - when you are at a crossroads and have a choice to mean, or be kind, be kind.  When you take a look at yourself, you want to be the best person you can be.  Be kind. 

This campaign to raise awareness and have a conversation amongst girls and women is vital to changing the way we treat each other as children and adults. 

Watch this trailer - think about it, let me know what you think.


The Kind Campaign

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Sorry I've been absent lately!

Whew!  I've barely had time to breathe, and it seems that this weekend is the first weekend that I haven't had TONS of work to do, or other obligations.  It's good to just be at home!  Being a bit of a home-body, I am much like Harry Potter in that I have to return home to rejuvenate!

Here's what I've been up to lately!
Rally to Restore Sanity in Washington DC October 30

The Rally was great!  Mom and I drove down early in the morning and arrived about 11:15am.  We got great seats - not fabulous, but at least we could hear the rally!  It was amazing to be surrounded by so many people, see so many in one place there for a reason - the reason was different for everybody, but people came out to be on the Mall on a beautiful October Day.
My mom's birthday November 7
Jennifer and I surprised mom by fixing brunch (spinach and leek quiche, fruit salad with sugared almonds, spiced cornbread muffins, and cranberry cocktails!) and spending the day with her and dad.  She was so surprised, it was great!
Ubah's Baby Shower November 13th

Doesn't Ub look beautiful!  Her whole family was wearing pink and we had delicious Indian food and cake. This was the first time many of us had seen her pregnant and glowing and it was lovely to see her so happy and in her element.  She was also a trooper - barely had a chane to sit the entire time!
First time we'd met Anna!  Poor girl was sick, but she is so cute - we couldn't help oogling her!

We had a wonderful time at the baby shower- it was so good to see Ubah, and I can't wait to see that little girl!

Thanksgiving is coming this week and I'm so glad!  I will post more soon, promise!

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Eloise

Yesterday I had the chance to watch Eloise while her parents were moving into their new house!  We had a great day together.  She is sitting up by herself, reaching and grabbing for things and LOVES to stand.  In fact, heaven forbid you try to lay her down!  She fights sleep and wants to be part of the action.  I love her to pieces and it has been such a pleasure watching her grow up.  She just turned 6 months old! 

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Mumford & Sons



My new favorite band.  I found them from Field/Work and have been listening since!

Saturday, September 18, 2010

new car

So I've had a bit of excitement recently.  Apologies to those of you that have heard this story.

I had no school two Tuesdays ago because of Rosh Hashana and planned to take my car to the dealer because it still wasn't right (stalling at every stop light, strange warning lights flashing at me etc.) after spending $2,000 since June.  So I dropped off the car at 7:45am and planned to wait until they told me what was wrong and try to make a decision then as to whether or not I was going to invest more money.  So at 5:00pm after waiting in a room the size of a cubicle and watching horrible cartoons all day, they came back and told me it would be another $1,000 to fix it.  It turns out that the part that started all the money dumping was defective - joy.  They of course (insert snarky tone of voice) suggested to me that I trade in the car and get rid of it as soon as possible - "would I like to see what they've got on the lot??" 

So I looked around the lot, discussed my preferences, what I would use the car for etc and I test drove a 2010 Nissan Versa 4 door hatchback (silver).  I really liked it but wasn't about to sign any paper that put me into more debt on the day I was going to get my car fixed - too fast.  I told them this was all moving too fast and that I wanted time to think about it.  They of course (snarkiness) offered to have me drive it home and bring it back the next evening.  I agreed.  I drove it to my parents house and my mom had dinner waiting (isn't she the best!) and my parents and I took a test drive together.  I drove back home, checked the lock three time to make sure it was secure and went to bed around 10:00pm.  What a day!

The next morning I got ready for work and walked out my front door, turned the corner toward the parking lot, and as I walked slowly - very slowly - toward the parking lot, I realized the car was not there - the parking space was empty.  I tell you, I actually closed my eyes and took another look, hoping and praying that if I opened my eyes again, the car would be there - that this was some kind of horrible mind trick.  Nope.  The car that wasn't even mine, that I had practically signed my life away to, was missing in action.  Shear panic came over me.  My mind began to race and I ran to the Management office to see if anyone was there to report that my car had been stolen.  Of course (snark) no one was there and as I repeatedly said, "Oh my God" as if I was some sort of scratchy broken record,  I walked back through the parking lot.  As I walked I notice a sign, " _________ Towing - strictly enforced."  Oh #$%^&*.  I never got the parking sticker off my old car (because I never even saw the old car before I left the dealership). 

I went back inside, plugged my cell phone (which was dead) into the charger and called the towing company with a shaky voice and weak knees.  Yes, they had my car - $220 dollars cash, open 24/7 for my convenience.  Yeah, right (complete snarky - my convenience). 

I called work, my dept. head came and rescued me and took me to work so I could teach 2nd and 3rd period.  My dad drove down and picked me up, took me to the bank, and we went to get "my" car.  The towing company just happens to be in the worst part of Baltimore - even in the daylight.  It's the kind of place that you have to be buzzed in to, and the people (1 receptionist and 1 cop) working there are behind bullet-proof plexi-glass.  I had real high hopes about the car not being damaged.  Luckily it wasn't!!!

I paid  (let me just say that my management company was great and helped me out), picked up the car, and drove to the Hyaundi dealership to test drive a car very similar.  I didn't want to make my decision without at least doing SOME shopping. 

In the end, I drove back to the Nissan dealer and bought my new car by 6:00pm.  What a couple of 48 hours!!  I love it and have no regrets.  I feel like the car and I bonded already!  We already went through a disaster - it was meant to be, and as I drove her out of that horrid towing parking lot, I felt like I was saving her!  :-)

She's cute, and reliable, and safe.  Now I just need to give her a proper name.  Any ideas????? 

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Balance

I've been thinking a lot lately about a balanced life.  I've thought about how hard it is to overcome the entropy or disorder that is natural in life.  In scientific terms, entropy is the natural order of things - the way life overcomes it by work.  And work requires energy.  This is what I explain to my students every year, and somehow it seems like a metaphor for my life.

But what happens when you don't have enough energy (and I also think - time)?  That is the foundation for work and ultimately balance - but sometimes you just feel that you work and work and work and it just isn't enough to get to the balance. 

How do you find the energy?  How do you rejuvenate the spirit?  What do you think?

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Posted by Picasa

It is HOT here today! I am house-sitting for my parents while they are on vacation up north and this morning I got started early. I mowed the lawn - somehow this feels like such an accomplishment! :-) Then I decided to make some fresh tomato soup with all the tomatoes my dad's ONE plant is producing. I have tomatoes and peppers coming out my ears! So below is my new tomato soup recipe - I have to say, it is delicious!


Ingredients:

6 large tomatoes, quartered (I think that is how many I used....I don't remember!)
1 green pepper, deseeded and diced
1 red onion, large slices
1 vidalia onion, thinly sliced
2 medium carrots, diced (1/2 inch)
2 cloves of garlic, smashed
¾ cup of chicken broth
1 Tbsp of tomato paste
3 bay leaves
1/3 cup of minced basil plus some to garnish
Olive oil
Salt
Pepper
¼ cup sour cream

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Add tomatoes, red onion, green pepper and 1 carrot to baking sheet. Drizzle olive oil, and salt and pepper veggies. Roast for 30-40 minutes, stirring once. Meanwhile, add Vidalia onion to olive oil in a dutch oven (or large pot). Cool for 2 minutes, then add 1 carrot (diced). Cook on medium for 15 -20 minutes then add garlic and cool for another 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add roasted veggies to pot and add bay leaves and chicken broth. Simmer on low for 30 minutes, covered. Remove bay leaves, add basil, and using a blender, blend the mixture til smooth. Return to the pot and touch up with immersion blender if needed. Add salt and pepper to taste and then mix in sour cream. Serve with basil on top.

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Beautiful day

I've been a hiding a little lately.  I feel like a hermit, a recluse, or some other crazy person who just wants to be by themselves.  I've always been fine going for days without talking to anyone, just being in my own little world and shutting everything out.  That's what it's been like the last few days.  I don't want to make contact. So sorry for no posts.  :-)

But today I worked outside in my mom's gardens - weeding, pruning, dead-heading, watering etc.  Oh it's been an absolutely beautiful day.  The sun has been shining and the blue sky has big puffy clouds - the kind that you want to stare at to see if you can make animals out of their shapes.  There is a cool breeze and across the street I can see the tops of the trees moving in the woods.  As I am sitting here on the patio listening to the birds and unfortunately the cicadas (ugh) a hummingbird popped by to say hello!  (Well, not to me, but to the red flowers along the patio wall!) 

I know I have lots of things to do (the list I made takes up one full page!) but I have a hard time getting motivated to do anything I "have" to do.  It's summer after all, and I will do things I "want" to do!  Soon school will be starting and the craziness that is teaching will take over my life.  Right now, I wish summer could last a few more weeks.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Last day watching Ellie :-(

Ellie is taking a nap now and today is the last day of my summer fun watching her before she goes to daycare.  I am sad I won't be seeing her every week and I have made my sister promise to give me reports on all developments!  She is rolling over, making faces and really just being the cutest thing!  She is a cuddlebug, stink bug, and ladybug all rolled into one!

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

North Carolina Vacation

My mom and I got back last week from a mother-daughter road trip to Asheville, NC.  We had a wonderful time being in the mountains, looking at crafts at The Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and visiting the Biltmore Estate (which I had never been to).  I loved learning about what life was like at the turn of the 20th Century and about family life for the Vanderbilts.  But most importantly, I had a wonderful time sharing, laughing, and having fun with my mom.

"Heather, lean your head out of the window to take that picture!" and "Mom, you are going to see things you never saw when we get home!" These are some of the quotes we had on our trip!

We started Tuesday by going to the Folk Art Center where we looked at pottery, jewelry, glass, paintings etc.  The work was amazing, so well done and the craftsmanship was of high quality.  I love looking at things that are hand-made because the creativity, inspiration, and hard work show through.  To me, there is something spiritual in making and sharing in something that comes from you - part of your memories, your heart, and your spirit.



We decided to pick up a few sandwiches and pack a picnic lunch and we arrived at Craggy Gardens on the Blue Ridge Parkway.  The temperature dropped to 68 degrees, and the fog and clouds were so thick we couldn't even see the picnic area or pavilion.  In fact, we didn't even know there were other people there!  But we set up our picnic anyway and watched the clouds roll over the mountains. 



 


We wandered around the parkway stopping at every overlook (and sometimes not even at an overlook!  Particularly when we spotted some unusual wildflower or a blue butterfly).  We decided to make our way to Mt. Mitchell - the highest peak east of the Mississippi  I was surprised, I thought Mt. Washington was the highest, but Mt. Mitchell apparently beats it by a few hundred feet.  It was such a majestic view.




We decided to eat dinner at the small mountaintop restaurant and had "real Carolina barbecue" and coleslaw.  Delicious!  On the drive back, we were slowly going around the curves, and what should appear right before our eyes?!?!?!?  A big black bear!  I shouted "BEAR!" at mom and by the time she looked, she saw his back end go down the mountain.  Amazing!

Tuesday we went to the Biltmore Estate.  We decided that it was already getting warm, so we did the gardens in the morning and by 10:30 went in for the tour.  Luckily they had recently renovated several new rooms and we were the beneficiaries!  The luxury and extravagance, but also the ingenuity, engineering, and fore-thought involved in the design, architecture, and building of the estate were astounding.  I did not know that Frederick Law Olmsted, the designer of Central Park and many other famous landscapes designed the land - he said that he made it such that no matter where you were, you could hear the water - the babbling of the brook, or the trickle of a stream.  I enjoyed looking at the portraits that John Singer Sargent did of both Olmsted and the main architect Hunt.  Olmsted looked like someone you would want to be friends with - he had a scraggly beard and a walking stick in the woods.


We had lunch at The Stables - which were in The Stables!  It was really neat the way they set it up!  We finished the tour after lunch and went downstairs to see the swimming pool, bowling alley, kitchen, and servant quarters.  I learned so much about what life was like, and I enjoyed talking with the guides, looking at the furniture and all that decadence!

On Wednesday we set off for Chimney Rock State Park (which cost a ridiculous amount of money to enter a State Park) but the view was amazing and we definitely saw a different side of the mountains - much more rocky and barren and a whole lot warmer!  By the time we left it was 94 degrees! 


We ate lunch in a nice picnic spot by Lake Lure and took a leisurely drive back to Asheville, and by "leisurely" I mean curvy and round-about - but it was an adventure!!  Before dinner we went to the Antler Hill Village to see the Legacy museum and listened to a storyteller describe the cast of characters that visited the estate.  We bought some wine at the winery and then walked over to The Bistro for dinner.  Dinner with mom was so wonderful.  We had delicious food, (she had roast chicken with garlic and herb mashed potatoes and vegetables, and I had a pork porterhouse with apricots, polenta, and vegetables - yum!), had a chance to reminisce about our trip and all the exciting things we did and saw, and had a chance to talk.  It was a lovely time and I will always treasure the time I spent with mom on this trip.

Sunday, July 11, 2010

ohhh I want to see this!

I just saw this via another blog (SimpleLovely) and watched the trailer - this looks so good!  I checked out movie times at The Charles Theater in Baltimore - I may have to make a mid-week trip!

I am Love

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Happy 4th of July weekend!


I hope everyone enjoys this weekend of celebration!  Fireworks, picnic food, sunshine and remembrances!  It it a great time to think about how truly great this country is.  I KNOW it has it's problems (sometimes so many I want to move to Canada) but in the end, I am an American and proud of it.  I think it is a good time to remember what makes this country so wonderful - freedom, liberty, and justice for all - let's hope we maintain these ideals and live up to what our forefathers set in motion - an ever evolving country.

Monday, June 28, 2010

Eloise today

Today I watched Ellie for what is the start of my summer time with her.  I am so excited to watch her grow these next few weeks and feel very blessed that I have this time and opportunity to see her develop, change and blossom.  She is wonderful!  Such a sweetie - she's smiling, giggling, and gripping fingers now - and I just can't get enough! 

The drive to and from is a bit of a hassle - it's rough - but we are working on ways to make it better.  Wish me luck! 

Saturday, June 19, 2010

techurious

This summer our technology dept is having us do our professional development on our own time by exploring lots of different websites and applications that might be helpful in our classrooms.  I think it is such a great idea and I've had fun Techsploring!  Here's the link to my new blog (just for the time being) but it is keeping me busy! 

Techurious

I'm writing about the tech, but also about teaching - check it out if you want!

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Here comes SUMMER!

Hooray!  Summer is here!  AHHHHHHHHHH.........

The beginning of June has been busy.  The first weekend, I drove down to Norfolk, VA to see Catherine Hite's christening.  It was a wonderful weekend - especially because I had a chance to meet Catherine for the first time, but also because I got to see my good friend Erika and her family.  It reminds me how much friends can really help rejuvenate your spirit!  We had a wonderful weekend, Catherine is so beautiful and happy, and as soon as I get some pictures, I'll post one.

Graduation was last week and for the first time it was held in the morning, so that we didn't run the risk of afternoon thunderstorms.  There was a cool breeze, bright sunshine, and so much happiness mixed with sadness.  It was a good day for the seniors, and marked the conclusion of the 125th year of our school. 

On Friday, (the first chance I could get!) my mom and I went down to Washington DC to see Eloise and Jennifer.  I hadn't seen her in about 4 weeks and I was missing my Ellie!  She is so sweet and wonderful!  I have a hard time getting enough.  I got to hold her, push her, feed her, help bathe her and love her.  Hooray! 


On our way to lunch at The Diner

Friday, May 21, 2010

BP Oil Spill



What a mess.  The video, which you can actually watch streaming live on CNN (Live stream), just makes me so sad and sick. 



Sylvia Earle spoke to Congress about the disaster.

Here she speaks on PBS NewsHour

More pictures from The Washington Post

I've been thinking about what we can do as citizens - if this was a natural disaster that threatened one of our cities, we'd be sending money to the Red Cross.  But it isn't our home directly that is affected - but the home of millions of organisms both in the ocean and along the coast.  This has the potential to be absolutely devastating - it is going to ruin the biological diversity of this area and potentially of the ocean because the Gulf of Mexico is a breeding ground for many organisms - many of them endangered like the Kemps ridley sea turtle below.


I think it is always difficult to "rally the troops" when people are indirectly affected by disaster.  But I think that in this particular case, it is so obvious that the human impact on wildlife and plant life is so devastating that it is our responsibility, obligation, and duty to protect, conserve and restore this vital resource. 

There are so many considerations to think about - the loss of life because of explosion of the Deepwater Horizon rig, the environmental impact, the economic impact to those whose livelihood depends on the ocean and the consequences for BP.

I think what we need to do is have a serious discussion about the root causes of this disaster - I see this as our reliance on petroleum - from plastics to jet fuel to the gas we put in our car.  While I understand the economic need for globalization, manufacturing, and transport, I think that we do not think enough about what we actually produce - the stuff we make, the non-renewal resources we use up making this stuff, and pollution that accumulates and chokes the life out of our environment.

Enough of my soapbox, but please do something.  Write a letter to your Congressman, the President, or BP.  We need to let them know that we are all stakeholders in this - and they can't forget that.

Monday, May 10, 2010

When I am Among the Trees

When I am among the trees,
especially the willows and the honey locust,
equally the beech, teh oaks and the pines,
they give off such hints of gladness.
I would almost say that they save me, and daily.

I am so distant from the hope of myself,
in which I have goodness, and discernment,
and never hurry through the world
    but walk slowly, and bow often.

Around me the trees stir in their leaves
and call out, "Stay awhile."
The light flows from their branches.

And they call again, "It's simple," they say,
"and you too have come
into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled
with light, and to shine."

- Mary Oliver, Thirst

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Survival Mode

It's May and I'm in complete and utter survival mode. 

Dear God,
Please just let me get through the end of the year.
Much Love,
Heather

Seriously.  I'd rather not run through the list of things I have to do, or how I'm going to get it all done, but needless to say, I'm not sure it is humanly possible. 

I've been thinking a lot lately about teaching.  It is such an incredibly important thing to do.  Yes, I am actually calling it "important" - I'm not trying to boast or toot my own horn, but it is.  But it can also be so selfless that you forget to take time to nurture your self, not just your students.  This is when it gets hard.  Even though I am finishing my 5th year of teaching, I still (and this is unbelievable to me) find it very difficult to manage my time, get everything accomplished and feel successful - and when you are in a state of constant overwhelming, well, I start to think, "what am I doing?" and "why am I doing this?" and then you get to the even scarier question...."is it worth it?". 

And some days, I just don't know.  Don't get me wrong, I really do love my students, and I love my co-workers - that isn't the problem.  Sometimes I just lack the inspiration to do what I need to do everyday with a smile on my face.  And as a teacher, it is hard to have a bad day.  I have 54 students I am responsible to, and a bad, grumpy, irritated day can sabotage the precious time you actually have together.

Summer is coming soon, and it can't come soon enough.  I need the time to rejuvenate my spirit, to reinvigorate my heart, and heal from this year.

Sunday, April 25, 2010


Last weekend I spent some time with my new neice, Eloise.  She is wonderful, and I'd find myself doing whatever I was doing this week and she'd pop into my head!  What a fabulous feeling!  I was at Barnes and Noble yesterday and I saw some of the classics - The Secret Garden and Jane Eyre, and I thought, I would love to give her those beautiful books.  I am so excited to watch her grow up!

Speaking of books, I thought I would make a list of some of the books in the pile on my night stand.  These are books I am currently reading and books waiting to be read.  Here they are!

1.  Dead and Gone by Charlaine Harris
2.  Special Topics in Calamity Physics by Marisha Pessl (reading for book club)
3.  The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
4.  The Courage to Teach by Parker J. Palmer
5.  The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith
6.  Every Living Thing by James Herriot


Saturday, April 17, 2010

Eloise

My sister and her husband welcomed a little girl into their family on April 15th.  Eloise Jean is a beautiful baby girl with thick black curly hair and a good set of lungs!  She was named in honor of her great grandfather Ellsworth Jared and her great grandmother Jean.

She is a special little baby we are all in love with.  I can't wait to see her and watch her grow into a strong, loving, woman.

But yesterday I also said goodbye to a good family friend.  Emily was a spark of life that shined on the friends she made and with the love she shared.  She had a deep faith in God and a commitment to showing that by example.

I think what really struck me these last few days is the beginning and end of life; the hope, renewal, and unconditional love of birth, and the grace, compassion, and strength of death.  Emily would be the first person to say this, and I know with all my heart she is in heaven watching over Eloise and singing praise.

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Happy Easter

I had a great weekend with my parents.  We had a lovely Easter - went to church this morning and then drove to Gettysburg, PA to have lunch/dinner at The Dobbin House.  It was a wonderful meal - mom and I had Singapore Slings (drink) which were delicious, french onion soup, salad and prime rib.  Yes, I am full! 

The Dobbin House is a restaurant with history - everyone who works there dresses from the civil war era and the rooms are filled with antiques and charm.

Here are some pictures from today.  It was so sunny and warm - perfect day for Easter.



Also, I've been thinking of doing another 5 favorite things.

1.  Jane Austen Marathons:  During Spring Break I was on a bit of a sewing frenzy and while I was sewing I watched the entire BBC version of Pride and Prejudice and then watched Bridget Jones Diary.  Ah the British!  Sometimes I can't get enough! 

2.  Cherry trees blooming:  I LOVE LOVE LOVE this time of year.  I especially love the early bloomers like the Yoshino cherry tree.  I just think about how brave they are - the pioneers!  And what great blooms they do give us!  Thank you!

3.  Taking the long way home:  I took the scenic route home to my parents.  It is the country way with the back roads, the twists, the hills, the horse farms and the green, green grass.  It is beautiful in the valley and makes me happy.

4.  Driving with the windows down:  Doesn't matter if you are driving around town, or driving those back roads, I love being ABLE to drive with the windows down.

5.  Start of baseball - Red Sox v. Yankees at Fenway:  Well, so far the Red Sox are losing in the sixth inning, but I never count them out.  Who knows?!?!?!

Sunday, March 28, 2010

LIFE by BBC and Discovery Channel

If you have not seen this new series, you are really missing out.  It is amazing, breathtaking and awe-inspiring.  Reminds me of why I am a biologist.  http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/life/

Sundays @ 8pm on Discovery Channel (and of course, on re-runs and YouTube)

March was all about Babies!

My friend Paige had a baby boy, Sawyer Paul, March 4th.  He and his little brother Elliot are doing well, and he is so cute!!!  I'm so happy for my friends - so happy their family is growing, healthy and strong.  Now mama, get some sleep!

My sister had her baby shower that was hosted by my mom and I on March 7th.  We had family come from western New York, including my cousin's new little boy Elijah - who we had never met!  It was so great to FINALLY meet him, he is a sweet little boy who is growing so fast - just learned to roll over before he came to visit. 

My sister looked beautiful, and it was so nice to spend a few hours reconnecting with all our "mothers" - women who saw us grow up, helped dry our tears, we shared laughs with, and spent many sleepovers at their houses.  Here are some pictures from that special day.  I can't wait to meet Baby Girl!
Doesn't she look great!!
Advice cards for the new mom
The invitations had jungle animals and continued the theme and colors
Elijah and I
Jennifer and mom
We made three different types of cupcakes:  Carrot with cream cheese frosting, orange pound cake wtih orange buttercream, chocolate with chocolate glaze

March 13th was a baby shower for my close friend Erika and her husband Chris.  It was at my parent's house and her sister Courtney and I hosted this get-together.  It was so great - Chris's mom brought a beautiful cake (that was so yummy!) and we had wonderful food, lots of laughs and it was wonderful to see everyone come together to share this exciting new experience with Erika and Chris.  We are all so happy for them, and can't wait to meet the little one (girl?)!
Erika (doesn't she look wonderful!) and Chris
                                    
Erika and Jamie
Erika's theme was water creatures!
Courtney, Erika and Chris

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Happy St. Patty's Day!

I'm not Irish and I'm not Catholic, but I think the true "spirit" of this day is worth celebrating!  Enjoy!

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Back at it

So this week, life resumed as we all tried to get back to some semblance of "normal."  I have to admit, that it was difficult for me - plus, I think I'm coming down with a cold.  But beyond the physical difficulties, it has been so hard jumping back into teaching and wrapping my mind around all the immediate obligations and duties.  So many issues to deal with that sometimes I wish I could just ignore these pressing matters, but then they wouldn't be pressing, right?  With committee meetings, dealing with the all the changes to the schedule and pacing, grading, setting up labs we missed due to the snow, and just facing the kids - who are just as conflicted as I am, it was strange.  We all desperately wanted to be back - I think to see each other and catch up, but nobody wanted to DO anything.  What a strange two weeks.


Like this picture (from Blizzard #2) I feel a bit overwhelmed and in a fog, maybe I'm one of those snowflakes, blowing around.  Who knows.  All I do know is that hopefully soon, this snow will melt and summer will be here.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Snowapalooza Part II

It has begun snowing here again.......

10-20 inches expected.

Went to the grocerey store this morning - they were out of almost everything - milk, break, chicken, apples, onions, blueberries, lettuce, OJ......you get the picture. AND it was a mob house. The parking lot was full, no carts and people with resigned faces.

I picked up more Ice Melt.....there were only 4 bottles left.

The news here is reporting that gas stations are running out of gas because they can't get it delivered.

And here we go again. I am 100% sure I am not having school the rest of the week. The roads are all 1 lane - even the major roads are only 1 1/2 lanes. And people are walking in the streets because none of the sidewalks are plowed. I remember having this problem in Boston. You'd be walking down the sidewalk with 3 feet of snow on either side of you and all of a sudden, the sidewalk ends - dead end. What to do? Climb over and look like a complete fool, or turn around and try to find an exit?? What a mess. It was always funny when there was someone walking behind you and you both look at each other like, "What the heck?!?!"

Well, it has begun to snow again - I'll keep you posted. Not much else to do. :-)

Monday, February 8, 2010

Snowmageddon, The Snow Kahuna, or the Blizzard of 2010

Well, we are surviving. I have heat, food in the fridge and a shovel. I am set. Starting on Friday and going into Saturday afternoon, the mid-atlantic region has been hammered by a major blizzard dropping 24+ inches of snow. No school today, and I'm not sure about tomorrow, but we are supposed to get another 6-12 inches Tuesday into Wednesday. Oh joy. Below are some pics.

8:00 AM, still snowing, this is what I woke up to as I opened my front door on Saturday morning

I tried to clear a path to my car. I worked for two hours in the morning and the snow just kept coming. Sunday I was feeling a little cabin-feverish, and decided to take a walk to check out how things were shaping up. In the picture above, this is supposed to be a sidewalk. Who would have guessed? The sun came out, and look at that path!! I worked hard. My arms and back hurt!! (This is Sunday).

This reminds me so much of Boston. This is exactly what you'd see all over the city. Hey, who can blame anyone. If you spend hours of back-breaking labor clearing out a space and someone goes and takes it, whew! You'd see me upset! I have a plan. I am taking my old air conditioner and putting it in my spot. Too heavy to move, I love the irony, and if they take it, good because it doesn't work anyway!
One of the many snow piles in my parking lot.
For the record books:
2nd largest all-time two day snowfall
2nd largest snowfall season (but I think we will pass this on Tuesday and Wednesday) 60 inches right now.
Baltimore has NEVER gotten TWO 20+ inch snowstorms in the same season, so this is a first!