What is your passion?

Where will your passion lead you? Will you be willing to follow?

I am just a few months short of becoming a fully licensed middle school math and science teacher. So, as a substitute, those are the classes I usually work in. Lately, though, I have been substituting in self-contained classes at my children’s schools. These children are called exceptional children (EC for short).

The thinking was that (1) they needed qualified subs, (2) I might learn things to help my own son, and (3) I would definitely learn things that could help with differentiation in a regular classroom. (Differentiation helps make sure each child is taught in the best way for that child.)

A funny thing happened. I love working in those classrooms. Those students, all with lower IQ’s and many disabilities, are now my favorite ones to work with. My days in a regular classroom just blur together. But, I can remember every little detail from the days in the EC class.

So, now as I reach what I thought was my goal, I have to re-examine and see if the right thing for me is to continue in a bit more.

Booo to the flu

Well, the flu got me. I just dragged out of bed today after a week, and it wasn’t pretty. Me, I mean. I wasn’t much to look at.

Everything else looked just fine. The bills were up to date because everything is on autopay. The laundry wasn’t too bad because I hadn’t let it pile up before getting sick. The house was picked up because we have always stressed that the kids need to pick up after themselves.

Basically, we have things so simplified and automated that things went fine without me. That’s a good feeling!

Why I love little league baseball

My son is in a PONY league, one of the major organizations for kids’ baseball. He has one more year to play at the levels where everyone gets on a team and everyone plays in every game. Maybe he’ll be good enough to make a team when he is older or maybe not – he is not the best by far. In fact, he has always been towards the bottom on every team in batting and fielding ability.

And, that is reason #1 why I love baseball. It is the only thing that he is not good at but still keeps trying. It is a huge problem with him. If he cannot do something perfect the first time, he melts into a puddle of tears and usually refuses to ever try again. But, not in baseball. He is the kid in the outfield still talking to himself and looking everywhere but at the batter. His swing is way too wonky except to hit a pitch by accident. And, all of his trips to first were bases on balls.

He doesn’t care. He is too busy having fun.

Reason #2 I love little league is the dedicated coaches. They know they are there to balance teaching the kids the mechanics of baseball with sportsmanship and fun. It is a fine line. These boys are to the point that they do need to start getting more serious about playing the game well if they want to play for their middle school. But, in other ways, they are still little boys and many cry when they lose (yes, including my son).

Reason #3 is the very patient umpires. They get hit a lot at this age – well it is kid pitch. They are surrounded by boys who do not always understand the specific rules of the game and are known to stop like a deer in headlights when things get crazy. After those plays, I have always seen the umps quietly explain the rules to those players. The umpires also see themselves as coaches for both sides. They help the batter and catcher get into their optimal position. They help the pitcher aim for the strike zone. And, they help keep the kids focused. One amazing umpire even approached parents after the game to give advice on better bat sizes and such for their children.

I image his kids are older but he still enjoys the chance to coach boys. And our boys are all better off for it!

No more whiners!

I am really tired of people making excuses about things, big and small, instead of doing something.

First – the complainers:
There are the unemployed who prefer to wait for the “perfect life fulfilling job” instead of compromising in this economy to bring in some sort of income. There are the parents who complain about every little thing in their children’s classrooms, but will not volunteer. What about that woman who is always complaining about being overweight, but won’t join you for a walk in the mornings? I could list dozens of complaints heard in the past month alone, all followed by wimpy reasons why nothing can be done. What worried me is that our children are picking up on this trend at home and in school.

Now – here’s to those who get things done:

• A single mom putting herself through school so she can get a better job
• Another mom studying for months to pass the state bar exam
• A nephew who saved his money and is returning to graduate school
• The teacher who puts in extra hours to help her students succeed instead of lowering her expectations for them

My point is that just complaining, while fun in a pity party way, never accomplishes anything. So, why waste the energy? Do whatever it takes to get yourself to make a change: watch Oprah, read self help books, put up silly motivation posters – do anything as long as it gets you to do something constructive.

Besides, complaining can add frown lines.

Routine Matters

We have been back in school for a few weeks. And, we are still nailing down the right times to leave for the new schools, the quickest route to Target, and when to bring a lunch based on the school lunch menu.

In other words, we do not have our routine down yet.

And, each year, until the routine takes hold, I always feel a little on edge. Are we late, to we have time for one more stop, can I get to the grocery store before the kids get home?

And, I know the worst will happen – we will have that one day a week where I have to be three places at once. It hasn’t happened yet, but I know it’s out there…lurking…waiting…

Or, maybe, just maybe, I worry about this too much!

Quality of life

Quality of life: what does that mean? We have officially finished our move and settled in to our new home. All our decisions were aimed at creating a fun and relaxing life for our family. Closer to family, less grass to cut, more trees for privacy and exploring, more room to play inside, excellent schools, very close to work, etc…

We are happy and pretty much stress-free. By our standard, we definitely have a high quality of life.

What got me to thinking about this is my dog, Marquise. She is almost 15 years old and starting to slow down. Does she still have quality of life? She can’t stand up by herself, but once she is up, she can still move. She can’t always navigate the step to the backyard on her own, but once she’s there she still sniffs and barks like always. Her arthritis makes it almost impossible for her to stand on the hardwood, but a trail of rugs along her favorite inside paths lets her go where she wants.

Recently, she had a short illness that prevented her from standing at all for two days. During that time, she developed serious skin ulcers which are not healing fast. We have to get up with her at least twice a night to help her turnover and reset her bandages. Honestly, I am exhausted.

But, does she still have quality of life? She has pain medicine which is working wonders. She still eats and moves the same. She still comes running when you shake her leash. (Well, it’s like she is running in slow motion.)

She still tries to follow me all over the house. And, she still wags her tail whenever you give her even the littlest bit of attention. By her standard, as long as she is the center of attention and has her every whim catered to, she has a high quality of life indeed.

School Supplies

I love all the massive school supply centers in the stores now. No, it is not because my kids are about to be out of the house for hours at a time. (OK, that may have been true when they were younger.)

The reason I love all those piles of supplies is the possibility they represent. The stories to be written, the discoveries to be made, and the changes my kids will go through this year. The paper and pencils are just begging to be used.

These displays also motivate me to see possibilities to simplify my own desk. Pencil bags and boxes are my favorite. The larger pencil bags are excellent ways to store all those cables and chargers we seem to collect. With the three-hole bags, they can be kept in a binder. The boxes are not just for crayons at school. How about picking up a few and cleaning out the junk drawer or craft box?

The possibilities are endless!