Reading Nightly

I have been trying to practice what I preach and have added reading to my nightly (or almost nightly) routine.  In the last 3 weeks, I have read:

Landline by Rainbow Rowell
Beautiful Oblivion (#3 in the Maddox Brothers series) by Jamie McGuire
The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman
The Right Woman by Linda Warren
Where She Went (sequel to If I Stay) by Gayle Forman

All are so different and impacted me in different ways and on different levels.

Honestly, I didn't like Landline very much.  I had LOVED Eleanor and Park, so I was excited to read something else by Rainbow Rowell, but I did not like this book.

I enjoyed Beautiful Oblivion.  It had been such a long time since I had read Beautiful Disaster that it took me halfway through the book to see how the two overlapped.  I was kicking myself, but I got it, and despite that, I really enjoyed it.

It took me several chapters to get into The Light Between Oceans.  I read a couple of chapters one night, then a few more the next, and even a few more the next.  I was probably about halfway through when I got into it and could not put it down.  It is a good "What would you do?" book.

I had The Right Woman tucked away on a shelf from when my aunt gave me several books years ago.  Since I was in between books, I grabbed it.  It wasn't as hard core as some Harlequin books out there, thank goodness.  A good mystery that kept me in the story.  Of course, I love a love story too.

I read If I Stay over the summer, and I didn't realize there was a sequel, Where She Went, until I finished it and saw a chapter for it included at the end.  I enjoyed If I Stay.  Good book.  I really liked Where She Went.  Many stories I have read deal with loss, meaning death.  This one did that to help Mia cope and to show us how she coped.  But . . . it also dealt with loss, meaning someone leaving and you having no choice in the matter.  That is what I have been dealing with, and it was great seeing someone else (even though he is a fictitious character) deal with this loss and to know everyone does it differently, and it is OK.  It is OK to handle it the way you do and that you do grieve.  Loss of any kind really calls for and should allow grieving even if those around you do not understand the pain and loss. I enjoyed this book.

I have several professional books I need to read or reread, but I just can't get into them like all these fiction books.  Well, I guess I better!

Happy reading!

1st Girl Scout Meeting of 2014-2015

Tonight, 6 of our 10 girls were able to meet.

 We began with a get-to-know you activity (to just catch-up b/c it has been a while since we've been together).  They chose a Skittle, and each color was assigned a memory--something more precious than gold, something that makes you feel warm, something that makes you cry, something that makes you laugh, etc.  The girls had a great time with this.

We then had them look through ceremonies for Bridging and Investiture and plan their Awards and Bridging Ceremonies, which we will do at the beginning of October.

Finally, they began planning their Bronze/Silver project.  With two levels, we are trying to kill two birds with one stone.  We will have them do one project to accomplish both Awards.

We filled our time together, they had great conversations, and we can't wait to see what this year holds.

What have you done to kick-off the new Girl Scout year?

Moving Boxes Again & Shopping for Supplies

This morning, I began sorting, labeling, organizing, and moving 56 boxes of Science equipment and supplies.  These boxes ranged in size and shape, and they all but filled up our workroom.  It was very difficult to get to the copy machines, paper cutters, di-cut materials, and bathroom.  After about 1.5 hours, everything was done and delivered to their Prep Labs (thanks to some help from students), and I had walked at least 2.2 miles in the process.  That is a good chunk of burnt calories first thing in the morning, and of course, let's not forget the energy burned actually picking up and moving the boxes.

I ended my day by going shopping after dinner to get supplies for our 8th grade Science teachers--Oreos or sandwich cookies and lollipops for Moon Phases and Graham Crackers and icing for Plate Tectonics.  Next week is going to be a fun week in Science.  Of course, that is working around going to the Planetarium too.

Over 5.5 miles total today.  That is a lot of walking at work.

Run for God Pinky 5K (Virtual 5K)

Tonight, after 11.5 hours of Professional Development and hard work unpacking, moving, etc., I joined my BFFs, and we did a Virtual 5K.  All we had to do was register, choose our own course, and then walk or run between August 15th and 17th.  So easy and fun!  Since we live in 2 different places, we started off at the same time and walked, messaging each other, and enjoying our experience.

 My BFF and walking buddy before and after (sunny to dark).

On top is a pic of my other BFF and her daughter at the start.

More Unpacking

Yesterday and today have been spent doing even more unpacking.  I spent all morning yesterday working with the new teachers.  When I returned to my office, both professional looking desks and all their parts had been removed, all the books sitting on top of the desk were put back in boxes, and all the filing cabinets were gone.  Do you know how much work I had done????  Any way . . . 2 new/different desks were placed in there.  More teacher like than professional, but they will be fine.

By the end of today, I had unpacked a total of 85 boxes of books.  There are still at least 10-20 more to go.  I am out of space to even work.  I have boxes of stuff that are not novels, but I have nowhere to put those items, and I can't unpack them until I finish with the books.  Boxes just keep getting moved around trying to make space.  I would love to move some finished boxes (sorted, labeled, and ready for classroom libraries) to the hallway, but they haven't waxed it yet, so I am trying to stay out of the custodians' way.

I got 2 tables that match the desks to help add work space for me and if someone is ever hired for the other position.  I almost lost the tables b/c they weren't supposed to be in my office, but after some talking and working with others, it all worked out, and I get to keep my furniture.  I still have no storage, so I have gotten 3 small cabinets with doors and shelves.  They will work fine.  I almost lost those too due to miscommunication and lack of labeling, but I have them back now.  Yea!  I will give them away if I don't need them when the shelves are put in.

Furniture is really a small thing, so I am not stressing.  I do have the largest office in the entire building, and for that, I am grateful.  Now . . . to get these books out so I can work on my stuff and decorate! That will take several more days and many more hours.

Let the Unpacking Begin!

I am sure I have said it somewhere, but we had a 2 story bldg added onto our building, a hallway was completely redone to be made into classrooms from Fine Arts rooms, major renovations took place around the office, and every room & hallway have been painted.  We packed up the entire bldg before June 9th.  Now, we are unpacking it.  I was given special permission to work in my new office this afternoon, so my mom and I arranged 2/3 of my desk and unpacked 52 boxes of books.

The books were not located in my office before, and they will not stay now.  I plan to divide them up and give everyone a set to make a classroom library.  Now . . . to have the time and energy to make it happen. 

The chalkboard and white board were supposed to be removed and replaced with white bookshelves.  That didn't happen.  The shelves were saved from the trash and are being kept safe for now.  We hope they will be installed in about a month.

My former office-mate has become an Assistant Principal at one of our local high schools.  I am sooooo excited for her, but I will miss her.  We were given the old Assistant Principals' furniture, so I will keep both sets of furniture (in case they hire someone to replace her), and the office will actually look professional and inviting. (Our old office was so tiny, made up of mismatched furniture, and I pretty much only had a computer desk for a desk.)  This space is going to be great! Oh, the plans I have!

(I just created this pics to share with my BFFs, but I decided to put them here too.)
None of the filing cabinets are mine.  They just stored them here for now.

Before doing any work.

 

After arranging one desk and unpacking 52 boxes.

Happy Birthday to My Amazing Nephew!

Happy 13th Birthday to my adorably handsome, talented, intelligent, fun-loving, tender-hearted, kind, book loving, amazingly wonderful nephew! 

Bub, you changed our lives forever the day you were born, and I can't wait to see what your future holds. I hope you have the most amazing birthday and year yet! Love you more than you can imagine! Love, Auntie

A day of making memories with a little shopping, the movies to see Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and a little celebration with cake and presents.