Whew!  I must say I am so happy to be on Christmas break!  It’s been a long couple of weeks around my classroom, not to mention trying to do the fun stuff for the holidays too!  About a month ago my students began writing either a children’s story or a collection of poems to produce their very own book through StudenTales.  Somehow, time slipped away from both my students and me because the printing process took much longer than expected.

Thankfully though, all completed packets have been collected, checked (well, not graded you know – that’s a pleasure I get to save for another day week month!) and ready for shipment tomorrow!  It’s such a relief!

After a quick stop by the store, we came home to relax and have some down-time.  I played with Calder for a bit, putzed around online and then watched Spiderman 3 once my guys were asleep.  I realize now that I need to get my address labels printed (I know, my cards are going to arrive after Christmas…but at this point that’s acceptable!) so I can get things sent out tomorrow!

Have I said it feels great to be on break?  As a student I always looked forward to our school vacations, but I never really thought about whether or not my teachers enjoyed them too.  Now, I realize that the breaks are not only enjoyable, but downright necessary!  I have a book I bought in September that I’m going to read for nothing other than sheer pleasure.  I want to build a snowman and/or go sledding and yes, I do have a day in my classroom scheduled for one day of our rather short break. 

I suppose, I’d be get moving because I’m starting to feel a little heavy-lidded.  Here’s hoping I get to post a lot over the next couple of weeks!

I can hardly believe that I haven’t posted a single thing for nearly two weeks!  Especially considering all the excitement these past two weeks have brought.  I guess I just had to report that I’m still here, I’ve got LOTS of stories, but like everyone else I know, I have absolutely ZERO time to sit down and write up these stories.

Just so I don’t forget, I’ll leave you with a few teasers….

• on the move
• proud mother to a new digital SLR
• singular and plural (tooth – teeth)
• holiday decorating
• “I wanna be a part of it….”

While I fully plan to write more detailed posts – or perhaps more creative, I do have to report that throughout our wanderings today, we randomly asked directions to Peanut Butter and Company.  When I heard the woman respond, I looked up and made a slight squeak.  I recognized her, but couldn’t place her, think of her name, or do anything but listen to her direct us up the street. 

I think she knew there was some recognition and I really wanted to ask for a picture, but didn’t because I didn’t want to be “that” person.  Despite a picture with her to prove the veracity of our sighting, it was especially great to have seen Mary Louise Parker during our meanderings in the Village today.  The best part, is that she was so helpful and so down to Earth.

I desperately want to send her correspondence thanking her for the directions and for being kind to some mid-west girls looking for some food!  We’ll see if that ever happens….

Don’t worry – pictures will be coming soon!

This is a poem I wrote earlier this year after our trip to California.  My writing group helped me with the structure and I’m pretty happy with the result.  I like the ambiguity of the pronouns, but I wonder if they confuse the reader.  Feel free to read and respond! 

We sit

softly

escaping the heat

of the afternoon

We sip

slowly

savoring the sweet

of the cool drink

He suckles

silently

caring nothing of

the space we occupy

We sleep

snuggled

in the cozy chair

by the great glass window

He stares

strangely

and I wake, wondering

what he is thinking

I smile

serenely

realizing the public

home we’ve created

He sighs

slightly

as if shaking other

thoughts from his mind

We stand

stiffly

comfortable that we’ve

outstayed our own welcome