Rain, rain...Come again another day

As I was driving home from work this evening in a steady cold rain, I thought how fortunate we are to be in our third straight day of rain. While it is inconvenient and limits our activities, we know what it is like without rain, and it isn't pretty! Take a look at Memorial Park. It is a shadow of its former self, as are many other parks and green spaces in Texas.

Today, I'm grateful for rain, even three consecutive days because we need it!

Couldn't make it a daily event

Well, as you can see, I was struggling with posting everyday. First of all, it seemed forced. It seemed like I was having to dream up something - to make it different from the day before - because it seems like I do similar things most days. At this point, I would like to see this blog become more meaningful by posting when I want, rather than have it be something I HAVE to do everyday.

As this holiday season approaches, I find myself thinking about our parents - at least what parents are left.

It is hard to believe that my mom has been gone for over 14 years now. And, while life has gone on, I still miss her, sometimes more than others but particularly at the holidays. My mother just loved the magic and joy of Christmas - both from a religious perspective and from a child's perspective. Joe lost his father this year - also unexpectedly. For me, Jerry loved each and every day and lived to help others.

Fortunately, I live in the same city as my dad. While he is in better health today than he was just a few years ago, I know how someone can be here one day and gone the next. Over the past few years, I have really enjoyed his sense of humor and am glad that we are here to spend time with him and Irene. On the other hand, Joe's mother is 1200 miles away. Thank goodness for texting - I'm not much of a phone conversationalist! Joe does better on the phone than I do. Obviously, we don't see near as often. I am grateful that Susie and Mary live close and can check in with her.

I'm grateful that we still have parents that we can spend time with, who still know who we are, who still enjoy life, and who we can care for and love with that unconditional love that they have given to us (and continue to).

Hump Day!

Work today was quite satisfying. I accomplished a lot of different tasks that needed to be done. I was so successful that I even had to recreate/rewrite my list as 2/3 of the page had been crossed thru. That is always exciting for me because sometimes it can seem like I didn't get anywhere all day. I also managed to attend a campus training at the end of the day which is a great way to end the day. It was an Edmodo training and I enjoyed listening to some of the questions and watching the teachers begin to understand the why and how of the social learning site.

#10: Today I'm most grateful for Joey. He surprised me with an invitation to lunch! It was really nice to take a break in the day, eat something more substantial, and spend some time together!

Tuesday....

Thinking that during the week, most of my posts will revolve around teachers and training since that is what I do. I ended the school day at one of our middle school with a few teachers interested in learning more about Google Apps. They were a fun bunch. Marlo surprised me with a flower - WAY TOO kind of her! Sweet!

I managed to scramble to yoga. Jonathan did a great job of guiding my practice. Don't know why I found it so challenging - my muscles were so tired (and it is only Tuesday)!

#9: Today I'm grateful for my health. While I was challenged in yoga, I was still able to practice - even in the evening! I heard today that people who eat nuts everyday are healthier. Guess that helps!

Just another manic Monday!

Yes, it was here again - Monday! Luckily I started out with a meeting that went pretty well. The campus is doing a lot of growing in terms of engaging students in a new way and several thoughtful questions and conversations are emerging! Midday I was reading and responding to teachers comments on our Google+ network from the summer. So many of them made such thoughtful comments and encouraged one another. It was so encouraging to review our work there. And then I had the pleasure of ending my day with a kindergarten teacher who is trying to learn new technologies and is asking great questions as she tries to figure out how to move teachers on her campus forward. Teachers are so hard working.

So, I begin Week 2 (of 52)...

#8: Today, I am thankful for the many terrific teachers I have the pleasure to interact with and learn from each and every day. I have such respect for the work they do!

The race was good, and

A great time at the Formula One race today in Austin. What a difference 48 hours makes. The temperature was 20 degrees warmer than on Friday - which made it really hot! Seemed more like June than November. It was great to see Vettel win and Grosjean hold off Webber for 3rd! We have some great pictures!

#7: I'm grateful for Joey who understands how much a fountain Diet Coke with lots of ice means to me (and him) when it's hot!

A great day... nothing special by most standards

I love to travel. Car, plane, train, no matter. I love to get out and see things. However, there can be times when you're gone too much. Sometimes, you just need a day to get stuff done around the house. today was one of those days. I really appreciated the time!

#6: I'm grateful today for my yoga practice. I have been working late during the week and missing at least one of my yoga classes, so today I took two! Though my muscles are sore right now, I am happy that I went and challenged myself. Thanks Liz and Michael for two great classes!

This is hard... Day 5

Man, I have a hard time remembering why I went into a room and I thought I could remember to blog everyday? I already screwed up! I forgot to post yesterday. I had a lot to be grateful for yesterday too! Hopefully, over time, this will become a habit!

We went to the Formula One practice session yesterday. Last year we attended Saturday qualifying and were so impressed with the venue. The track layout is really cool. Looking forward to a Vettel win Sunday!

#5: I'm very grateful for our safe travel to and from Austin, the gorgeous weather, and for our seats which are terrific!

My Friday, early

Today was nice because I was in my office most of the day and was able to get some work done that I have needed to do all week! And, I am taking tomorrow off, so that made it even better!

#4: I'm grateful today that I have a new Windows 8 computer that makes it much easier to get my work done efficiently! I conducted a training yesterday using a D530 that our teachers have and it was painfully slow. I'm so glad that they are all getting new laptops as soon as we can get them here! They will be happy!

PS. I did actually write yesterday's post yesterday. I don't realize that it didn't post... Learning how to use Blogger on my Nexus 7!

Day 3 and counting

I still can't get the images of the devastation in the Philippines. I can't even fathom the feelings of despair that so many must be feeling. It reminds me of what happened close to home with hurricane Ike. I remember my friend Becky sharing how life altering Ike was for so many who did not have the money to rebuild on the island because they lacked insurance and the rising property values. While she lost a lot, her entire beach house was gone, it was just that for her family - a second home. Several of the locals lost everything they had.

#3: I'm grateful for the home I have. It isn't anything to write home about in our neck of the woods, but I know it is more house than many millions in the world call home. While I don't have a lot, I am able to give a little to help some one in the Philippines. Hopefully, with the help of a few others, someone will be able to rebuild a home.

A little artificial?

Funny what the lack of sun can do to your perspective, mood, whatever you want to call it. Yesterday, I could have written about a multitude of things! Today... well, it isn't coming that easily. I'm not saying that I'm NOT grateful, maybe it is that I just don't feel inspired. Maybe it is just getting into a rhythm. (I told you I'm not much of a writer.)

#2: I'm grateful that I have a job that is different everyday and that there are teachers who are willing to share their practice with me! Today, I visited a middle school math teacher's classroom who is interested in shifting her practice to better engage her students in reflective thinking. I look forward to our ensuing conversations and so appreciate her openness and courage.

Veteran's Day 2013 - A GREAT day to start!

It all started with the morning news. Typhoon Haiyan has left devastation beyond belief in the Philippines. Two teens were shot to death at a birthday party that went wrong over the weekend. I wasn't looking forward to going to work wishing for a little longer weekend. However, I realized things just aren't all that bad and I have a lot to be grateful for in my life.

After arriving to work, my co-workers and I decided to attend the Veteran's Day celebration at Spring Forest Middle School. WOW! It really hit me there.Veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan as well as a few enlisted men proceeded into the gym accompanied by thunderous applause smiling, waving flags, some with tears in their eyes. Standing there amid the swell of gratitude for our armed services I realized truly how fortunate I am. I still have my father and my brothers and sister, two wonderful sons, a roof over my head and food on the table. Actually, the list is really endless.

Somewhere recently I had read a blog post, a tweet, or ? about November being a month of gratitude and to be grateful for something each day. (If I come across it again, I will share.) Of course, today is already the 11th, so I missed that challenge. Then, I thought, "Wait though, I could start with the new year - that's a plan!" But we all know how those goals go. So, as I stood there in the gym with tears rolling down my cheeks applauding our veterans, I decided, "Why wait? Why not start today?" So, here I am with a self-imposed challenge to share something for which I am grateful everyday for a year. 

I have already listed several "biggies" above, but I really want to focus on smaller specific encounters, realizations, events, etc (at least I think I do). Who knows how this will go. It is an exploration. I have never kept a journal, and don't consider myself much of a writer. I guess I'm hoping that through this blog I can help myself (and possibly others) find the something positive each and every day. 

#1: I'm grateful for my friend Trish, who not only shares herself with me, but also shares an occasional Starbuck's card. Waiting for my son during his therapy, I sipped a half black, half passion iced tea (shaken, not stirred) on the patio on a beautiful fall early afternoon.