Slice of Life - Celebrate This Week - 3/22/14

Slice of Life is hosted by

Two Writing Teachers

on Tuesdays.  For the

month of March

, I am participating in the March Challenge by posting a slice daily.

This year, I am trying to increase my awareness of the many good things that happen, which are frequently overlooked by me.  To help me, I am joining Ruth Ayres'

Celebrate This Week

.

Here's what I am thankful for this week...

1. 

Spring Break

- Though it is almost over, it has really been a pretty perfect week.  I enjoyed hanging out and putzing around.  I could sleep in or stay up late and no need to dress up all week.

Homemade Poptart from Nickle Diner in Los Angeles

2.

Hanging out with Friends

- Last Sunday morning, I had a chance to visit with Teresa Bunner (

@rdngteach

) while she was in Los Angeles for the ASCD conference. We had breakfast at a little place in Los Angeles and even had homemade poptarts. Yum!  Additionally, I got to have lunch later in the week with some of my local teacher buddies that I do not see often enough.

3.

Movies and Friends

- I seldom see movies in the theater and I even more seldom see them on release day or during the release weekend.  Last week, I kicked it off by going to see the

Veronica Mars

movie with some friends.  It was a blast to watch it with other folks who knew the characters and were just as eager to see it.  I finished the week with going to see

Divergent

with a different set of friends.  I love my book community and how we not only share favorite books but movies and more.

4.

Skyping with Cathy Potter's students

-

Cathy Potter

is a school librarian in Maine.  This past week, I had the wonderful opportunity to meet via Skype with some of her 5th graders to answer questions about the Schneider Family Book Award. What a great group of students and some really good questions. 

5.

Cleaning and Sorting

- Though I took my time with closet cleaning and other sorting projects, things are slowing shaping up.  I was excited to be able to pull together about 200 books that will be welcome additions to classrooms and libraries in my District. Additionally, I found a gift card that I had misplaced (yes, now I can get those new running shoes I wanted), and a sweater that I was looking for.  Sadly, I still seem to be missing a couple of pillowcases and a bunch of socks.  What is it about the dryer that seems to cause things to disappear?

What are you celebrating this week?

Slice of Life - The One Where I Get Personal

Slice of Life is hosted by

Two Writing Teachers

on Tuesdays.  For the

month of March

, I am participating in the March Challenge by posting a slice daily.

_________________________________________________

In reading the various slice posts, I am always struck by the diversity of this writing community. I am also struck by how I feel like I have gotten to really know certain individuals by what they have shared. My blog is typically the place where I share about books, and authors, and book related news and activities.  I limit how much personal stuff that I comfortably share. However, I am going to stretch myself with a slice that is a bit more personal.  Let's see if I actually hit "publish".

Several months ago, I hit a milestone birthday. Turning 50 was hard. It brought up a lot of issues for me. It has made me re-evaluate where I am in my personal and professional life. When I was in my twenties, I thought by the time I reached 50, I would be married, have a house, children, and be where I wanted to be in my career. Yes, the great American Dream.  Alas, I am single, no kids, I rent (my choice), and I am in an evaluation place with my career.  

Ruth Ayres shared one of her

40 Stories for Lent

.  This one was called "

Tiny Faith is Enough

".  I have appreciated many of her very personal stories. Several have spoken more deeply to me than others.  But after reading her post, I still wonder.  It is much easier to have faith and hope, even a tiny bit, when things go the way you think they should.  Trust me when I say that God and I have gone the distance. Some days, weeks, months, God and I don't talk. It's too painful. It just ends in my tears and God's silence. 

Friends say God has a different plan. Frankly, I didn't and still don't want Plan B, C or D. Unfortunately, my Plan A will never be realized.  Consequently, my stubbornness and refusal to see or accept an alternate plan has resulted in Plan Holding Pattern. Not a pleasant place to be. And I am pretty confident that Plan Holding Pattern is not God's plan for me.

While I re-evaluate where my life is going, and to find even a tiny amount of faith to accept God's plan as an even better plan, I am thankful for much that I do have. I am thankful for friends who have acted as family and community for me over the years. They are precious. I am also thankful for how they have loaned me their children.  Though it may not have filled the void of not having my own, it has eased it at times. And I am thankful for much of my career and the way that I have been able to touch the lives of so many children and families and teachers.

Now, off to discover what Operation Tiny Faith will bring.

Slice of Life - Random Writing

Slice of Life is hosted by Two Writing Teachers on Tuesdays.  For the month of March, I am participating in the March Challenge by posting a slice daily.
_________________________________________________

I tried to write this post last night. No luck. Thought I would try first thing in the morning. Still no luck. Even tried brainstorming with a friend. Yeah, that wasn't happening either.  Decided to change locations.  Figuring that a new space with different energy might produce some creative ideas. Not sure this is working either.  My brain is functioning more like a dog's mind must work. "Squirrel. Squirrel." And off I go...but my squirrels look more like this...

There is an elderly woman and her daughter having brunch in the booth across from me.  The daughter's voice keeps drifting over to me. I have a feeling she is speaking louder so that her mother can hear her.  Unfortunately, my hearing is fine and I am eavesdropping without intention.

My mind keeps wondering what happened to some of my clothes.  I know all about happily matched socks going into the drier and coming out swinging singles, but I have a running list of missing clothes, a pair of sweats, a black v-neck t-shirt, a maroon sweater.  The list keeps growing as I think about an article of clothing that I want to wear and then cannot find. Since they are all dark, I am assuming that they must be together.  But after sorting drawers and closets yesterday, where can they be hiding out? Note to self: Stop by Target to pick up a new black v-neck t-shirt. 

I look down at my jeans.  These are a new pair of jeans that I decided to wear today.  I chuckle to myself because I am just in the in-between height for pant length.  I am not really the petite height for pant length, but neither do I fit average length.  So as I look down at this ankle length pants in average, I realize that they are closer to the correct length for me if I was looking for full length.

As I realize that today is Thursday, I need to take a look at my vacation "to-do" list and see what is still left and what I will or won't get to finish. I always list more than I can really accomplish in a week.  I also need to think about what I am going to need to do to prep for going back to work. Out comes my notepad so that I can jot down stray thoughts.

While writing things down, I realize I need to play more with my new camera.  I have been wanting a digital SLR camera for a couple of years now but they can be expensive. Finally, I gave in and used a little of my tax refund to treat myself to one.  I am looking forward to learning more about the features and trying it out.

Hey, have you heard about this place called Wine & Canvas?  A friend mentioned it to me this morning.  Some other friends took her there for her birthday.  I guess you drink wine, chat with friends and get a painting lesson.  Now, I have little to no artistic ability, but I love the idea of Wine and Writing? Can I set up some place where a group of friends can go, share some wine, and maybe tapas, and write with friends? That would be super cool. I could easily make that a monthly habit.

Okay, my random writing is coming to an end. I really do have to get to Target for that t-shirt and then meet up with friends for lunch.

Guest Book Reviewer: The Adventures of Arnie the Doughnut

Bowling Alley Bandit (The Adventures of Arnie the Doughnut)

by Laurie Keller

Henry Holt and Co. (BYR), June 2013

My 7 year old niece, KK, was home with a fever for the past couple of days. She has been laying around a bit lifeless watching the Disney Channel.  At one point, when she seemed a bit more alert, I gave her a copy of Bowling Alley Bandit by Laurie Keller. Her immediate comment was "this is funny".  When she finished I interviewed her about the book.  Here were her answers....

What was your favorite part of the book?

When the Arnie the Doughnut went behind the lanes to find Betsy, his purple bowling ball with pink sprinkles, who was missing.

Did you have any favorite lines in the book?

Arnie: "Help! I am a chocolate covered sprinkle pancake!"

Arnie says " But instead of singing 'take me out to the ball game' we'll sing 'take me out for some bowling.'" 

Why did you think the book was funny?

In one part, Arnie is talking to this lady and she is ignoring him and finally he say "I'm a doughnut dog" and she says "How adorable."

Who was your favorite character and why?

Arnie because he is really mischievous. He finds mysteries and solves them.

Why do you think other children should read this?

I think other children should read this because it is funny. 

KK is planning on reading the next Arnie the Doughnut adventure called Invasion of the Ufonuts. Pick up a copy of Bowling Alley Bandit (The Adventures of Arnie the Doughnut) at your local bookstore or public library.

About the guest reviewer: KK is 7 years old and in the 2nd grade.  She likes gymnastics, cheeseburgers, and reading. 

The Maze Runner - Movie Trailer

James Dashner's book The Maze Runner will be out in September. What do you think?



THE MAZE RUNNER
Action-Adventure – Thriller
Release: September 19, 2014
Director: Wes Ball Producers: Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, Wyck Godfrey, Marty Bowen, Lee Stollman Screenplay: TBD, based upon the novel by James Dashner
Cast: Dylan O’Brien, Kaya Scodelario, Will Poulter, Thomas Brodie Sangster, Aml Ameen

When Thomas wakes up trapped in a massive maze with a group of other boys, he has no memory of the outside world other than strange dreams about a mysterious organization known as W.C.K.D. Only by piecing together fragments of his past with clues he discovers in the maze can Thomas hope to uncover his true purpose and a way to escape. Based upon the best-selling novel by James Dashner.