Slmar's World

365 Out

2011-01-12T22:28:00.000-06:00

I am not into making resolutions for the new year, but I am all for setting goals for myself. As this year started up, I was floundering at getting some focus in my life. I seem to have the normal routines down, but being a working SHE, I feel that I need a bit more going in my "stuff" filled life. I need a guideline to keep me engaged in the quest for more peace. So I thought about setting some

Christmas in July! Er, August?

2010-08-29T10:34:00.001-06:00

Organized Christmas Rudolph Club Every Summer on July 25th, my year-round Christmas on-line group the Rudolph Club has an assignment to choose a holiday plan for the year. There are many to choose from these days. And since I so enjoy kicking back over my holiday break, sipping eggnog and playing games with my family, I like having all the planning and preparations finished and my house squeaky

Summer Half-time Report

2010-07-06T17:07:00.011-06:00

Today marks the beginning of the second half of my summer break from teaching. During the past weeks I've pretty much kept up with my routines, except my often neglected desk day duties. I've cleaned out my bedroom closet, my mud room entryway and my drawer in my home office desk. I thought cleaning out my overflowing desk drawer would help motivate me to work on the stuff on top of the desk. No

Be Very Afraid!!! It's My Closet

2010-07-05T21:51:00.000-06:00

I have a good Twister and FlyFriend, Diane from Denmark, who has been facing things she has been putting off for one reason or another, but ultimately needed to give herself a dose of courage to begin. She has been working past her excuses, trying out things that are new or tackling tasks that have been on her to do list for far too long. She calls these Scaredy Cat Challenges. Then she

Cardivascular Jump Start

2010-06-10T13:46:00.000-06:00

After morning routines were completed yesterday I felt that I needed to get my workout back into being a part of my morning routine. Now that mornings can start at 6:30 or 7 a.m. (as opposed to 5) and I don' t have to be anywhere early for the next few weeks, it's a good time to get workouts out of the hit and miss time slot of afternoon or evening and back in the morning. My workday will be

Summer Challenges!!!

2010-06-09T13:50:00.000-06:00

It's been a while since I updated my blog. Busy, busy, busy...that's my life. I am enjoying slowing down a bit and focusing on some personal and home goals during this brief, but much appreciated, break from work. I have purchased the book Unclutter Your Life in One Week by Erin Rooney Doland. I bought it several months ago thinking I could focus on one day in the book for seven weeks, but

Let the Challenges Begin

2010-01-18T22:30:00.001-06:00

I am a sucker for a good challenge. And I have been presented with two new ones over the past few weeks. When I first heard about each of them, I knew that I was up for them both since they so closely mesh with the goals I have set for myself and my life. One is the Fitness Challenge that Jonathan Roche has given to those following the No Excuses Workout system. It matches up very nicely with my

Friday Fog

2010-01-16T09:00:00.001-06:00

The thick fog that covers the land makes it quite difficult for me to get to work on time. Traffic on the highway slows this morning to about 40 mph. It is just past the point of the morning when the day begins, but clouds make it difficult for the sunlight to stream through so many layers of the dust and moisture. On the highway, it is difficult to see how many vehicles are preceding mine, but

Tuesday Training

2010-01-12T21:58:00.001-06:00

I had a training meeting this morning, so after spending an hour after work yesterday preparing for a substitute to take my classes half the day, I enjoyed an extra 45 minutes this morning at home before I had to head out the door. The training was great, but the nice part was the information was relevant to what I am doing now, and I had some of my brilliant colleagues to collaborate with during

Made It Through Monday

2010-01-11T22:58:00.001-06:00

Finally back to work today. It was a bit of a relief to return to a normal routine. I was up at 4:30 (that's a.m. for you people who sleep until it's light outside) and at my workout in the great room by 5. Today I again tried the Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred. It is a kick your tushy workout for sure, and I only worked the level one session. There are two higher levels that you progress through

Grandma Gann

2010-01-11T22:31:00.000-06:00

My mother's mother's 89th birthday is today. She is one of the loveliest people I have ever known, and up until the past few years she has been my biggest cheerleader and has listened intently to every word I have spoken in her presence. If you know me well, you know what a feat that is, and I so adore being the center of her world if only for five minutes or a half hour at a time. Actually I am

A Soothing Sunday

2010-01-10T22:01:00.001-06:00

I really like to look at Sunday as the beginning of my week. What happens today usually sets the tone for how things go for the rest of the week. An ideal Sunday includes a combination of renewing my spirit and getting prepared for the rest of the week. Sometimes my efforts are a big flop all the way around, and sometimes I start my week prepared and mentally refreshed. Days of being able to

Spinning Saturday

2010-01-09T20:15:00.002-06:00

No, I don't mean a spinning workout. Although that sounds interesting. I mean what was going on in my head at about 5 a.m., not too long before the dogs whined for me to let them out this morning. The spinning in my brain has happened on several previous occasions when I get congestion in my ears. Vertigo. It is a very unsettling feeling that I have had to learn to manage. My first episode was

Frigid Friday

2010-01-08T23:45:00.000-06:00

The dipping low temperatures are here in Kansas, and schools are closed in the area for yet another day. So on bonus day number three, I am going to do something unusual for a Friday. Hang around the house. Well that's a bit of a joke since this is now the third Friday in a row I am hanging out at home. It is funny, but as much as I love home, I am starting to feel very restless. Over the past

A Bonus Day with Boys

2010-01-08T21:59:00.001-06:00

Thursday was snow day number two and I was joined by the younger boys. This time we didn't have to wait until morning to find out, so the boys stayed up "late" (9 p.m. insead of 7) Wednesday evening and got to enjoy watching the Disney movie Aladdin. I was so funny watching Danny watch the movie, as he was catching a lot of the jokes and laughing until he gave himself the hiccups (Robin Williams

Arctic Blast

2010-01-06T07:20:00.006-06:00

Baby, it is cold outside! I'm still wondering why I'm at home this morning, as it's not snowing yet and the morning temperature is about 15 degrees warmer than yesterday. I am a bit confused as to why, but I am still enjoying the bonus day with no work responsibilities. I am also anticipating that we will not return for the rest of the week as the snow is supposed to arrive this afternoon and

It's a Great Day at Work Today

2010-01-05T18:47:00.003-06:00

I went to work today 100% prepared for the day and caught up with all grading and preparations for the coming week's lessons. When I turned off the lights in my classroom and locked the door behind me all the reports I am responsible for are completed, meetings have been attended, new meetings and a training date that were planned today are marked on the calendar and e-mails and phone calls that

Transitioning Back to Normal

2010-01-04T06:16:00.005-06:00

I was up at o'dark thirty when the alarm rang (here that's 4:30 a.m.). Old Man Winter has moved in even though I told him he was no longer welcome, and is continuing his deep freeze with temperatures again dropping down to 0 degrees F. this morning. The forecast is calling for more colder temps and snow on Wednesday and Thursday.So after I slugged out of bed and started my morning routine,

End of Christmas Vacation

2010-01-03T10:12:00.002-06:00

Bittersweet. That's one word to describe today. Feeling a bit sad that spending some time with the boys and being able to do things that are on my own agenda is near over. Despite that bit of sadness I do have to admit that I also feel refreshed and ready to meet the long second semester coming up for the school year. I feel blessed that the little boys and I have had a very long break together,

Year 2010, Day Two

2010-01-02T08:53:00.010-06:00

I wonder how many times I will have to write 2010 before it becomes a habit. Hopefully I will do it enough times over the next three days that I will not regress to writing in retro. I've labeled a batch of freezer bags and tomorrow and Monday will work on lesson plans so I'll get some practice.The tree came down and went out the door last night. The rest of the Christmas decorations are in the

Happy New Year!!!

2010-01-01T11:55:00.021-06:00

This year's New Year's Party theme was, "The Game is On". Family and friends were invited over to celebrate the new year's arrival with food and plenty of games from which to choose.Food and snackies for the night included barbecue roast beef sandwiches, little smokies in sauce, chips, dips, cheeses, crackers, fruits with dip, flavored popcorns, triple chocolate cookie bars and Ritz crackers and

I Resolve to Have a Happy New Year!!!

2009-12-31T10:26:00.014-06:00

Life is a journey and I have learned to make resolutions that move me in the direction I want to go. I know that every year I can grow and become wiser through all of the experiences I have, books I read, people I meet and choices I make. Sometimes I lose focus in one part of my life and gain ground in another. That's just how life works. My New Year's resolutions are pretty simple. I want to

The Christmas Blizzard

2009-12-30T10:47:00.026-06:00

'Twas the night before Christmas, and Danny was a tired boy. After partying with Grammy, parents, brothers, aunts, uncles and cousins his eyes were a bit droopy. But his stocking was hung by the chimney, and he was really hoping that all the teasing he'd been given about being on Santa's naughty list was not true.Santa was tracked on Norad throughout the day Christmas Eve. Once Rudolph's nose hit

Menus in the Making

2009-12-30T10:34:00.010-06:00

Yesterday I shopped for both a freezer fill (cooking meals to freeze and eat another day) and a family game night tomorrow, also known as New Year's Eve. My trip to the grocery was my first venture out in a week's time. We had been snowed in during Christmas as the blizzard that arrived on Christmas Eve continued as snow showers for the three days following. It's snowing again today, even as I

Looking in the Rear View Mirror

2009-12-29T08:57:00.012-06:00

As the end of the year approaches, I am already planning a brand-new, fresh start for the year to come. As a teacher I really get two "New Year's Days". One in August as the school year starts with new faces and routines, and one as the next calendar turns to its first page. Both are used as a renewal in all parts of my life, although I often have higher hopes than reality allows.So today I am

Christmas Eve 2009

2009-12-28T13:25:00.022-06:00

Christmas Eve arrived with rain, lots of rain. The rain soon turned to freezing rain and then drizzle and finally a steady supply of sleet. Despite the winter storm warning, my mom, brother, sisters, brother-in law, nephews and niece arrived for a fun gathering.Left: All Lauren wants for Christmas is her two front teeth. What a cute smile for a six year old.Center: The Fabulous Four at our tree.

Gann Christmas 2009

2009-12-28T10:54:00.011-06:00

Lance, Jennifer, Jimmy and TaraThe Annual Gann Family Christmas get-together was a brunch the Saturday before Christmas at Uncle Jack and Aunt Shirley's house. We had biscuits and gravy and lots of other great treats. How did Tara get in so many pictures?Daniel and JackWhich way IS that train going?The kids played several rounds of UNO.Left: Devin, Janai and Tara. Tara only has one card. Did I

Autumn Activities

2009-11-07T08:58:00.013-06:00

Wow! I can't believe it's been so long since my last blog. I'm still around. I've been working on the keeping connected front and planning to have some kind of get together or outing at least twice a month. I think of late it has been more often than that. I'll do a post later to catch up on Summer happenings (there were many), and here I'll just focus on more recent events.Before Autumn even

The Heat Is on

2009-06-23T08:26:00.008-06:00

Summer is here. The calendar and the heat advisory that is now in effect shows that my favorite season has arrived. What do I love about Summer? I can think of many things. Here are my top ten.10. Having weeks and weeks to get my act together9. Being able to read a book from start to finish in a day8. Cooling off in the pool.7. Going to the lake in the middle of the week when it is not crowded

Muscles and Moderation

2009-06-15T06:04:00.006-06:00

I have been working on a new goal during my break. As I have been working on organizing closets and spending more time with family, I have also been working on a couple of fitness goals. I am writing this at the mid-point of one of those goals. Several weeks ago, I purchased Wii Active, a personal training system developed with many fitness experts including Bob Greene. Bob Greene is Oprah's

Summer Closets and Novels

2009-06-06T13:25:00.006-06:00

Summer is here. For me that means a lot of time that I can plan to do as I wish. I don't have to officially report back to work for about eight more weeks, and I have a long list of things I want to do before the summer is over and I need to go back to the schedule of being away from home about 10 hours a day, five days a week. At the top of my list, before even reading a novel or sitting lake or

The Day Begins

2009-05-16T07:08:00.007-06:00

Some mornings are wonderful. I open my eyes, well rested and eager to begin whatever is on my PODA (Parade of Daily Activities). My goals are in the forefront of my mind, and I whip through my morning routines and give immediate attention to the day's priorities. I seem to have energy for anything that comes my way, and that momentum continues throughout the day.Other mornings, I lazily stretch,

Counting the Days

2009-05-02T05:31:00.005-06:00

It is time to get it together. I have a wonderfully long Summer Break coming soon. Usually I spend the first week or so just chilling out in recovery of the school year...not this time. I have no stress from which to recover. Well nothing other than the high work load, and that will end when my contract days are done. It has been a very good year. I've been blessed at work with great kids, great

Reconnecting with Facebook

2009-03-21T22:58:00.003-06:00

In my latest blog, I shared my experience with the social networking site Twitter. I wasn’t using Twitter long, and was really enjoying connecting with family and some friends from my groups when I pointed out what I liked about using Twitter to my oldest son Joe. He let me know that it looked like Twitter was a simplified version of Facebook. “Facebook? What is Facebook? Isn’t it a lot like My

Staying Connected with Twitter

2009-03-18T13:21:00.016-06:00

There are a lot of people that I would love to keep in contact, but the fact is with work and kids and other activities going on it is often hard to keep in contact with people that I don't see regularly. Friends from the old school, extended family, people I have worked with in the past and people that have just been good friends are with the group that I classify as, "I wish we could get

Putting the Water on

2009-02-15T12:13:00.004-06:00