"Remember"- Day 29

Since I'm late with the last few days, the first week of school is a killer & to top of it I'm sick sick & sick, I'm going out of order to round out the month. My aunt posted this on her own birthday this week. It really struck me that most of my generation won't know this feeling, because if divorce or marrying later. I'm terrified of losing "him" to soon since I was 41 before I found him. I have so much admiration for couples who endured & stayed together by choice, not because of the kids or not believing in divorce. To this aunt...you are always someone I admire- classy, smart & hospitable beyond words & I'm so sorry for what this year brought to you xo.

"Thunderstorm"- Day 28

It was the perfect storm. Beautiful weather, slow day at work, very fast motorcycle. Mountains, back roads, little traffic. Until that turn with the blind entrance. & that pickup truck. That no one was hurt badly& he walked away with just some bloody fingers and legs-  & that was through gloves & Kevlar jeans- is a miracle, considering where his head hit the truck. Not my kind of perfect storm, but so grateful he will still be with me on many stormy nights to come.

"Encounter"- Day 27

Who would have believed that a chance encounter in grade school would have led to the eventual births of ten more people? Childhood friends (hard not to be when you have a class of maybe 30 the whole way through school), eventual "sweethearts" and now husband and wife of more than 51 years and 3 children and 7 grandchildren. Add in 4 step-grandchildren, which they have embraced in a way I never would have expected anyone to, part of our family because of my own encounter. Makes you wonder what exactly it is that makes these encounters different from others, and how you "just know"?

"Celestial"- Day 26

The one on the left. If "celestial" can mean anything related to heaven, she is it. She is the reason I am how I am with my own daughter, and I know it. I don't know why, nor do two shrinks, I can't and haven't gotten over it.

It has been more than 25 years. Most people don't know but I had it calculate to the exact date that my own daughter would have to live to in order to live longer than she did. It is getting easier now that I see my own daughter turning into an adult, but I cannot fathom what her parents went through and live with every single day, and they are together and as strong as ever. It is all anyone could dream of in a relationship.

"Dreamlike"- Day 25

Did I mention that whoever dreamed of this 365 definitely wasn't a teacher? I am determined to get 365 in, but I never said in order every day.

Sometimes I can't believe this family is my life and it is more than I ever imagined for myself after what I went through during separation, divorce, and some rough years to follow. Building on what I said in the last post, I hope it isn't a dream. This family came together relatively seamlessly and we have so much left to do together, losing that would be the worst.

Dreamlike part 2 here is that our oldest son was with us the whole week, leukemia and all...that was a dream come true for this summer!

Day 24- "Iridescent"

It is a word I would use to describe us both, which can be a great thing but is also a very scary thing. I hate the scary side of it...would trade for solid in a heartbeat.  Time will tell which it is, and it won't take too long.

Day 23- "Dormant"

I am guessing that is where the word "dorm" emanated from many years back, but I am not exactly a Latin expert. Not really a French one either actually, since I used to skip that class and that it a whole other story. Anyway...on the 23rd when I should have written this I was moving my girl in, one of the best days because she spent a few hours with me and was nice the whole time. She was ready for this and I am feeling good about it...for today at least!

"Tangled"- Day 22

Here's hoping this guy doesn't get tangled in a heap and hurt at his first JV scrimmage today- he doesn't play much but being part of the team has been the best thing for him the past year and a half. He has so much pride and such a big heart- love him to death! 

                                               

"Frisson"- Day 21

Being a teacher during pre-service week & the first week back along with packing for college & football practice doesn't leave much time for blogging or fun. Lucky for me I work where my coworkers are my friends, and we have fun together, & get each other through the rougher times. Yesterday was a frisson all around. I will try to get the two videos loaded here- frisson all around as our staff engaged in the ALS ice bucket challenge. Yes it was more water than ice, but it raised $ for a good cause!

Day 20- "Glittering"

Parents have no idea the HOURS that teachers put in to get ready for students. Rooms are glittering with new materials, new bulletin boards, fresh everything, often at the expense of the teacher. If you are reading this I hope you will consider going to www.donorschoose.org & finding Capt. James E. Daly, Jr ES in MD & giving even $10...teachers pay for so much themselves & this is a way you can help them keep their rooms glittering all year for your child! It's a great opportunity!

Day 19- "Evenfall"

What my house will look like every evening & night pretty much forever. Sending your child to college is bittersweet- she's not even moved in & I cannot describe the void I feel. I'll get to bittersweet after I deal with emptiness- she's been my hot mess with the greatest laugh ever for 18 years & I will miss her beyond words. 

"Nocturne" - Day 18

"Point of No Return" soundtrack. You can throw in the movie too. 

"Morning"- Day 17

Football has begun...daybreak at UHS on a Saturday morning!

"Reason"- Day 16

it is what I keep trying to do with my 18 year old, unsuccessfully. then I get visions of myself at 18 and feel horrible for what I put my mother through and only hope that something changes...

Day 15- "Self Sacrifice"

motherhood. isn't that what it is all about?

Day 14- "Unmarked"

teachers are ready

everything is in its place

students coming soon

(so won't last long!)

Day 13- "Aubade"

Angel of the Morning                 Juice Newton "Angel of the Morning" video
There'll be no strings to bind your hands
Not if my love can't bind your heart
There's no need to take a stand
For it was I who chose to start

I see no need to take me home
I'm old enough to face the dawn

Just call me angel of the morning angel
Just touch my cheek before you leave me, baby
Just call me angel of the morning angel
Then slowly turn away from me

Maybe the sun's light will be dim
And it won't matter anyhow
If morning's echoes say we've sinned
Well, it was what I wanted now

And if we're victims of the night
I won't be blinded by the light

Just call me angel of the morning angel
Just touch my cheek before you leave me, baby
Just call me angel of the morning angel
Then slowly turn away, I won't beg you to stay with me
Through the tears of the day, of the years, baby

Just call me angel of the morning angel
Just touch my cheek before you leave me, baby
Just call me angel of the morning angel
Just touch my cheek before you leave me, darling

Just call me angel of the morning angel
Just touch my cheek before you leave me, darling

"Prelude"- Day 12

She has no idea how much I hope the past three months aren't a prelude to the impending separation & distance between us, & that I've already been missing her. I know they say it is all part of the growing up & breaking free, but it's so bittersweet & just sad that you will most likely never live together more than temporarily- she's just going to be gone, like it never happened. There will be such a hole in my home and heart. 

"Whimsy"- Day 10

In a moment of whimsy this weekend I bought a potato ricer. As if a week ago I thought, "A potato wtf?!?" I wanted to make gnocci, found recipes, most which used this. Sure I read comments on doing this or that, but in the end I went with baking the potatoes & using the ricer & the gnocci rocked! Good whim buy that I will use again! I froze half of it so excited to go round two with a different sauce! 

                                                        

"Complex" -Day 11

The varied friendships, personalities & families in this picture can be so simple yet so complex at the same time...circa 2004 & going strong!

                                             

Day 9- "Pellucid"

Hammondsport, NY

"Rhyme"- Day 8

Most people don't know it...and it happened sort of by accident...but we ended up Aaron and Sharon and I love this boy to death, best kid a mom could ask for!

"Muse"- Day 7

no surprise here. but my other muse is round 3 of life, coming with him in the next ten years...

"Simplicity"- Day 6

Time with the family...it gets harder to get the older kids together, so scheduling some special nights is in order! It seems so simple to make time, but theory is not reality. xo

Day 5- "Secrecy"

it. can. destroy. you.

"Home"- Day 4

Having the kids all home for the day, the reason I got a day behind here...birthday brunch with lots of bacon and waffles! Officially all kids are teens and twenties!

"Atmospheric"- Day 3

the older I get, the more I think a tranquil spot day after day is in my future

Day 2, Month 8...Still Going! ~ "Olivine"

Experimenting with camera settings in Sacketts Harbor, NY; beautiful place to do so!

I had nothing for today's prompt of "Olivine," so I went with something mostly green, like the olivine mineral.

It is summer, what can you expect?

Modest- Month 8, Day 1

If more girls dressed just a little less tacky and a whole lot classier and with some modesty wouldn't that just be nice? The skirts that skim you cooter, the heels that you teeter in, the spandex that shows every bump...be the kind of girl who sells herself just by being herself, not by her body. Save that look for your husband one day. Just my opinion...

"Preserve"- Day 30

Recently I've been taking a course wherein you explore places on the National Historical Registry and analyze them to see if they would be good field trips or not. I have a heap of writing to get done, but have visited all of the places. It is so nice to see all of these places that people have fought to preserve, and I hope that doesn't end.