This Week's Happenings

So far, so good.

There's Thanksgiving leftovers still in the fridge. Mike was embarrassed to have to take them to work today for lunch. Can't be wasteful, so I put all the ham in a pot and am currently making black bean soup... mmmmm.

Started a new devotional this week-- attempting to get up a wee bit earlier to start my day off right. So far, fantastic! Diego even gets to go on a walk before school, which makes us all happy.

So this weekend, Mike, his dad, and his brother constructed a cornhole game. I've been put in charge of making the beanbags, which required me to teach myself how to use a sewing machine. Currently my dining room table looks something like this:

 I pulled out the Singer from the bottom of the storage closet (thanks to Mrs. Suey, who also bequeathed me with the phenomenal square dancing dresses) and watched a whole lotta youtube videos to refresh my memory. Everything was going great and I kept announcing, "I LOVE SEWING! This is the GREATEST!" 

... then the dang thing stopped working. 

Needless to say, after taking it to a random sewing shop, it was user-error. Production should be up and running tomorrow. 

Thankful for Thanksgiving

Ahhh, Thanksgiving. 

Had a fantastic time with my parents and the Checchias, ate tons of food, attempted mini projects, and even had time to read a book (Half Broke Horses.) It's about the author's grandmother growing up on a ranch in Arizona-- made me a little sad that there are NO similarities between my world and that of someone growing up in the Depression. Everything is easy for me, obtained at the click of a button. I love air conditioning, dish washers, and indoor plumbing and cannot even imagine skinning cows, gelding horses, or using an outhouse. Maybe one day Mike & will find property in the middle of no where and live off the land. 

Anyways, Thanksgiving was wonderful and I did not ruin it. We all pitched in to create a yummy spread of traditional food. 

The only thing missing was Annie, who is currently hiking Patagonia and is coming home in a couple of weeks. Back to school-- 3 more weeks until another break! Can't wait!

Day-Off Bliss

Preparing for Thanksgiving at your house requires ample preparation, including (but not limited to...)

Grocery Shopping

Last-Minute Decorating

Wearing Diego Out 

(so he's not a complete SPAZZ when company arrives)

& most importantly, thanking God for life <3

thankful for a purpose

God has put me on this earth for a short time for a purpose. This purpose changes over time, but the idea remains; I am here to love & serve. No matter how overwhelmed I feel when thinking about where our education system is heading, or whether or not my kids can determine if a sentence is interrogative, or even if teaching becomes a scripted program that cannot be deviated from... I WILL reach out to my students. I WILL make my teaching relevant and engaging. And I WILL offer life lessons that were given to me by my parents, teachers, and other prominent adults in my life who love me.

You know what else? I AM a lifelong writer, just like I profess to be a lifelong reader. I will be confident in my ability to communicate through writing. I will stop blaming teachers for 'not teaching me how to write' and will start doing something about it. I'll make more time for writing in different styles. Even choosing to maintain blog was a huge step for me because I feel incompetent as a writer. But who cares? I'm not writing with the intention of entertaining an audience; I'm documenting my life.

Thankful for the weekend, for a principal who believes in me (and professional development,) for an amazing media specialist who is pretty much my St. Augustine Mom, and for incredible teachers/friends who love and care for our kids no matter what.

Every bag is maxed out with free books!! English teacher's DREAM!!

Space Mountain - BEST RIDE EVER. 

It came it came!!

This week's highlights:

#1

After 2 years of searching I found the perfect stocking! (Does it matter that I got it off a kids' site?) Mike got an abominable snowman one, and Diego, the classic bone. 

#2 

asking students to turn someone on their team into an astronaut 

#3

First flag football practice.

No pictures necessary.

Still sore 3 days later. 

#4

Tomorrow I'm going to a conference here:

oh how I've missed thee

Yay for National Council of Teachers of English!!! Yay for meeting up with old teacher friends from college!!! Yay for learning how to be a better teacher!! Yay for collaborating with colleagues!!

and yay for hosting our first Thanksgiving next week!!

Not Enough Time

This weekend was a ridiculous blur. I'm all for doing exciting things on your days off, but there's gotta be some time to recuperate. Thankful, though, for friends and family and fun times. Looking forward to attending the NCTE conference this weekend which equals a 3 day work week!

The weekend was kicked off with a short but sweet camping trip with Younglife Leaders. Upon arriving at camp, Mike & I quickly realized we were supposed to bring our own tent- oops! But the night was saved as the boys figured out how to set up an extra one. Mike & I enjoyed our palace-sized accommodations for the night, and a phenomenal sunrise in the morning.

Saturday, my Mom came up. We made a quick town center run, then went to see Garrison Keillor's "Prairie Home Companion" recorded live under the stars. It was FANTASTIC! Much to Annie and my dismay, we grew up listening to the show every Sunday if we were in the car. We hated it. But as I got older, it found a special place in my heart. When I saw they were in St. Auggie it was destiny!! Had a wonderful time with my mom-- truly something we'll never forget.

I was then dropped off at Kristin's house to celebrate her momentous birthday occasion. Beverages were consumed, games were played. Good times for all.

Today delivered a much needed connection with God at church this morning. And a 3 hour flag football practice, which I'm already feeling sore from. We then found a new park on the river that is a promising spot for future picnics. 

Even though this weekend was full of activities, I miss my husband. I feel like we didn't connect much... and I'll be gone this upcoming weekend. Then the fam's in town for Thanksgiving. Hopefully we'll make up for missed time this week!

What a Week!

Well, this week was an emotional roller coaster. It went from "Wow, I'm pretty worthless" to "Okay, I guess I have some worth!" I had the opportunity to work with Danielle this week on paperwork and while it was a little stressful, I have to admit I had fun doing it.

I've never thought of myself as possessing any writing capabilities. It's pretty silly to be an English teacher while feeling like a horrible writer. But this week I kind of got over it and just kinda threw myself out there.  Not gonna lie, kind of proud of what came out of it.

Other highlights of the week, brought to you by the letter 'B': 

La Nopalera... but then I found out the following day they just had 30 health violations!! No wonder it was empty. At least they have frosty beverages.

Found my inner baker-- and relived fond memories of getting to help granny bake cakes when I was little. She'd let me use the hand mixer from time to time. 

Cold weather means it's time to bust out the booties! These were a gift from when I was 5 years old. I still wear them every winter and they're amazing. Don't hate. 

Looking forward to camping tonight, "Prairie Home Companion" tomorrow, and Kristin's Birthday tomorrow night! 

By the Grace of God...

Cheree, how I've missed you. Let's never let distance or our mutual dislike for talking on the phone for long periods of time get in the way again. Thank you for visiting!!

Today I was named "Rookie Teacher of the Year." I'm honored, humbled, and so blessed to be at the best school on the face of the planet! Love you all dearly. You keep me sane and help me find joy. 

I look to the creepy mannequin teacher (first teacher EVER) for inspiration.

Fresh Start

It's difficult to receive constructive criticism lightly. I'm only human; I love to be praised and told that I'm doing a good job. When I'm told anything less, it's easy for my pride to be deflated like a popped balloon. But receiving feedback is a great place to assess how I can be better at my job. I was beautifully reminded by a coworker to reflect on why my heart is in teaching; I'm not there merely to raise test scores and teach my kids how to read and write. Ultimately my desire is to help them along their journey and let them know they're valued, loved, and a vital part of this world. 

I've been so wrapped up in stressing myself over meeting every requirement. While this is okay and a part of life, I need to keep in mind who I should be trying to please. 

Galatians 1:10 says "Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ."

This is my life-verse for the week :)

Dear Fall,

I have to be honest; once October hits, my mind turns to Christmas. I'm forced to think about the gifts that could be purchased and how I'll spend my 2 week break. But let's be serious... it's not entirely my fault. Starbucks pulls out the red cups, radio commercials have jingle bells in the background... a girl can't help herself. But this year, Autumn, I promise to enjoy you the short time you choose to stick around. I'll keep my mind off Christmas until after Thanksgiving, just like I used to long ago. 

Today I made it as 'Fall' as possible in the Checchia household. In consisted of:

-Open windows

-NickelCreek on Pandora (bluegrass)

-New sweater wearing that's been waiting for usage

- And of course, Dad's famous chili recipe!!

I

Thanksgiving Spirit

I've been in a whiny, cranky funk all week. But after reading a friend of mine's blog from today (thanks, Hilary!) about how thankful we should be for our lives, I'm choosing joy! God did not create us to be alone, or to feel worthless and unloved. We were created to love Him and through this love, to pursue others. Every day we have a decision to make-- I must admit this week I've chosen to beat myself up over trivial things, to feel inept and incompetent at my job, and to give God no more than a fleeting glance.

But as of now, I'm choosing be joyful, thankful, and full of love.

I'm blessed to have a loving, hard-working husband who keeps me in line and makes me a better person (and the family that came with him!) For our jobs, our house, Diego. For my phenomenal parents who raised me right. For my sister who is awesome and way cooler than I'll ever be. For my best friends who are on opposite ends of the globe. And for God providing me with amazing people at work!

What are you thankful for today?

Mental Health Day

This week is dragging on. I know I'm not the only one that feels this way-- my students are falling asleep in class, teachers make eye contact and grimace....my mood can be summed up as:

Tomorrow's "Mental Health" day will be all about me. (And maybe just a little about working on the house.) I need to refuel, which will probably consist of some much-needed quiet/reflecting time with the Lord & spending most of the day outdoors. Maybe a good run. Diego time at the beach.

I pledge not to:

Check my work email

Go on Facebook 

Clean or do laundry

Eat leftover Halloween Reeses 

a REAL Halloween

Growing up there weren't too many trick-or-treaters. You'd see a couple other kids wandering the streets, but not a whole lot. Granny always took us to the mall, where we'd loop the entire thing and get candy from every store. My Halloween days pretty much ended in 8th grade when I wore my volleyball uniform and lamely perused the neighborhood. 

In college, I didn't take advantage of the holiday by using it as an excuse to parade in my panties. (Although we did throw one 'dress like your favorite drink' party....) 

Last year I celebrated with a FL/GA win, thus not making it home in time to pass out candy.

Finally, 2010-- the Halloween of all Halloweens!!

Thank you, Mrs. Suey, for giving me your hand-made square dancing dresses before you passed away. You will always be in my heart as the nice old lady who lived down the street and whose house smelled like mothballs.

Construction dog? (Borrowed it last-minute from a neighbor....)

Why sit alone in your house and wait for trick-or-treaters when you can combine forces and knock 5 houses out in one trip! Genius.

I <3 my pretend children who bring me joy every day with their squeals of laughter, ridiculous stories from school, and knocks on the door accompanied by, "Can Mike come out and play?"

This is what Halloween should be like. Neighbors coming together for potlucks and drinks while the kids run around the street. Good times.