That time of year .......

Teaching is a wonderful profession. I realized today that I am getting ready to complete my 8th year! I never thought I was going to make it past my first year but I did....and each year I keep coming back. Not only have I taught for 8 years....but I have only ever taught in a self-contained classroom ....teaching students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. WOW! If someone would have told me in my early 20's that is what I would be doing with my life I would have laughed at them. I certainly never saw this as my path....but as I have learned time and time again.. that is the beauty about life it takes you down paths you never would have envisioned for yourself. Truth is I love my job ~ yes I have some crazy days....and more than once I have heard from other teachers ... " I don't know how you do it"...... and sometimes I am not sure how I do it either. I know that I adore my students....I know that I learn as much from them as they learn from me......I know they make me laugh and make me see life through a different lens....I know that I can experience a range of emotions from happy to sad and everything in between all within one day...I know that I am so fiercely proud of them and their accomplishments no matter the size.....I know I admire them.....their uniqueness...their compassion....their ability to be open to all experiences and people. Yes I can truly say I love getting up and going to work.....always have......and I think I am pretty good at this teaching thing too! :)

The funny thing about being a teacher and working in a school is the ebb and flow of the year. I need to start collecting data on it. It is truly amazing the levels of anxiety how there are peaks and valleys throughout the year. Right now we are heading into the transition time......school will be ending in 6 weeks and now is the time all the "major" decisions are getting made. I have to say even after 8 years this is by far the most difficult time of the year for me. I believe it is for many teachers. You would think after awhile you would get use to this time of year...all the change....many times all the uncertainty. I have to say for me it hasn't gotten easier. I cringe when we start talking new student placement for next year. Although up here I have more input than in my last district about student placement.....I still don't hold the trump card! Therefore I always end up with a student or two who just shouldn't be or don't fit in the program.......but what does that mean?? Aren't we suppose to educate all children...who am I to say they need to arrive in a nice neat package. I realized today that the program I teach is changing......and I can kick, scream and yell all I want........but it will still change. Due to budget cuts and lack of funding...we have no money for new programs so we have to change and expand existing ones. That is the reality...and even though we know it is not ideal it is our only option. It makes one feel defeated....and yet I know it will all work out next year...I know this because it always does. We adjust and adapt......we will arrive next year with new found energy and optimism...a fresh start....positive attitude......as teachers this is what we do.

For now......it is that difficult time. An ending...maybe that is why it is so hard. It will be time to say goodbye to many amazing teachers...some who are leaving because of where their life journey is taking them and some because we just can't keep them with the new budget. On some levels an ending is good.....it means there will be a beginning. But endings are tough.......knowing that the staff will change next year......colleagues that you have made friendships won't be coming back........the lunch group will be made up of different people ( yes we teachers care deeply about this) the classroom community that you have built with your students......the unknown challenges that will come the following year...many, many factors. Maybe that is why it is so hard...so many unknowns. I truly hope in the coming years that this time of year gets easier for me......that I stop having so much anxiety about the "unknowns" of next year and trust that I have what it takes inside of me to handle all that comes my way. That I will become relaxed...and at peace with myself...confident and emotionally neutral. I will show up and do the best I know how to do with what I have been given and taught....and release the need to determine how things "should" be.

I guess I have my work cut out for me......better get started! :)

(picture is from the Japanese gardens in Portland, OR)

Birthday happiness!

Here are some pictures from my birthday....I know...I know....it has been 3 weeks! I had a wonderful birthday. I took the day off from work....had a yummy lunch with my wonderful friend Hope......then headed out that evening for dinner and drinks with Joanne, April, Julie and Erik. The next night I was lucky enough to do it all over again this time with Meg, Tracey and Christy at my favorite place Ray's! Yummy Salmon, wine, a fire going in the fireplace and an amazing view of the water........ I am a lucky lady!

I truly feel blessed. Moving to Seattle was the best and also hardest thing I have done. Leaving my friends and family behind has been difficult and many tears have been shed over feelings of loneliness. At the same time I love being here....it is so strange to feel both so intensely. I am proud of myself....... and I think it has taken until this year to fully appreciate what I have accomplished since I have moved here. I have a wonderful group of friends and a great support system. Thank god for Joanne and Erik...my family here in Seattle. Moving here has really taught me to open myself up to people....put myself out there......get outside my comfort zone. It has been challenging but I find myself constantly trying new experiences.

So I feel blessed......blessed that I finally moved somewhere that my heart has wanted to be for a very long time......blessed that I have made some amazing friends who constantly challenge me in all the right ways......blessed to have such an amazing job.....great people to work with ( wasn't sure that would be possible after Gilbert el) and of course wonderful students ......who teach me something new everyday........ blessed to live somewhere so amazing! Glad I took the leap.....thank you VB for being my biggest cheerleader...... I have learned so much about myself since being here and I look forward to continuing this journey and seeing where it takes me!

Rattlesnake Ledge

It's Spring Break........mother nature was kind enough to bring us some amazing weather.......well at least the first 4 days ( hey I will take it!). I spent each day playing outside.....soaking in the sun......enjoying tanks tops and flip flops......it is really amazing how much better the sun makes you feel. I swear people were even friendlier than normal.....I guess you just can't help it......sun and 70 degrees....what is better than that??

I went on a hike yesterday.......thought i would share some of the pictures I took and found interesting.......enjoy!

Hamburger Buns???

It's Sunday evening. It has been a beautiful day here in Seattle......high 60's and SUNNY! I spent most of the day outside.......I met my neighbor for coffee and we sat by the water...drinking, talking and soaking in the sun. Later I went on a fabulous 2 hour walk. Once home I started to think about what I wanted to eat for dinner.......several options went through my head....all involving the grill....cuz hey let's be honest not sure when we are going to have another day like this one. So I finally decided on Turkey burgers and veggies. Off I go to the store......I grab my veggies......grab the turkey burgers...get sidetracked in the bakery at the yummy desserts......then last but certainly not least I go to get the hamburger buns......... I walk to wall that holds all the hamburger and hot dog buns.......and the whole thing is EMPTY. I must have stood there for a solid minute with my mouth open just staring. What?? There are NO BUNS at all?? How could this be? I mean.. 4 shelves...empty. Of course it is not the first time Safeway hasn't had something......so I decide no biggie....I will drive over to Trader Joe's and grab them on my way home. So off I go to store #2.....I walk in go right to the bread aisle........and wait.....no .....it can't be.........there are NO HAMBURGER BUNS........ I start to look around as if maybe by some off chance they have a new home that nobody has informed me about....maybe they are on display somewhere........I look around........nope....nowhere.......I grab a bottle of 2 buck chuck( at this point I am thinking I will need this later) and head out to store # 3. Now there is a part of me that was ready to say forget it....I can eat a turkey patty with no bun......but I was intrigued by this. I went in to store # 3 walked quickly ( because by now obviously there is a huge need for hamburger buns) I mean a quick pace through the store could make the difference between getting some or not. I arrive at the bread and bun aisle........only one other person standing there( thank goodness!).... looking at a several very empty shelves.......but wait.......there are 5 hamburger bun packages left.......that's right ONLY 5. I grab the one closest to me and walk away just as quickly as I had arrived. Ahhhh......dinner is now complete.

Driving home it hit me.........it's a nice day......high 60's and SUNNY........OMG.......everybody in Seattle had the same idea I did.......Let's Grill!!........and apparently they did. To think that 3 grocery stores were sold out of hamburger buns is crazy......but I am not surprised. That is Seattle...a perfect example of what I love about this city. A nice day comes along and everybody takes advantage of the weather and makes the most of being outside. That includes grilling! :)

Spring is here!

Ahhh Spring.......Nature's gift to you for making it through the Winter months......when it is cold and dark. Spring I have decided this is what keeps you from going crazy......all those months inside, bundled and keeping warm. Yes Spring is the gift.......the hint that Summer is coming. The flowers and trees begin to bloom.........the fragrance of Spring is in the air. If you are lucky the sun comes out and the temps being their climb upwards. The excitement begins.....you can start planning camping and hiking trips........sitting outside on the patio and grilling. Flip flops...t-shirts and dare I say skirts...fun frilly skirts not the wool ones you wear all winter long. You get to look forward to daylight taking up 18 hours of the day.......it still be light out at 10pm. Ahhh yes......Spring is the gift nature gives you to hold on those last few months until Summer.

Oh no she didn't.......

I woke up last night at about 2am just dying of thirst, that kind of thirsty that not only wakes you up but also has you consuming 2 cups of water in the middle of the night.....yes that was the one.

As I was walking into the kitchen...and mind you I was half asleep......I looked up and saw Chloe standing on my kitchen counter....... WHAT?? I rubbed my eyes......I must be seeing things.......Abby ...she is the princess, the one who walks wherever she pleases......kitchen counters, dining room tables......coffee, end tables and dressers. I have seen her on every surface. Yes I have tried to teach her to not do that and after a year......I gave up and decided that is just the kind of cat she is. But Chloe........she is an angel........I have NEVER and I mean NEVER seen her in 3 1/2 years on any surface other than the couch and bed. It's what I love about her.....she follows the rules.

I finished drinking my water...went back to sleep. When I woke up Chloe and Abby were there to greet me as usual......but wait.......Chloe was standing on the dresser!! UGH! I couldn't believe my eyes......could Abby's behavior have rubbed off on Chloe?? Has Chloe just always done this and I have never seen it? I am so perplexed........and now feeling like I need to start some behavior modification on these cats. You just can't have 2 cats crawling all over every surface .......it's just not right!

Snowshoeing!!

Saturday I tried Snowshoeing for the first time......... it was so much FUN! It just like hiking...in the sense that you are walking......I can do that! I am taking on a part time job this winter by being what they call "Hill Rep" for the Bellevue Ski School. So for 8 Saturdays we go to the mountain.......so far I haven't been out to do anything. Everyone says to down hill ski.......but it has been years since I have done that and well to be honest I am a little scared I might hurt myself!

We started out and instantly I was blown away by the beauty and scenery. I realized instantly that snowshoeing and cross country skiing were going to be more of "my thing". It was quiet and oh so lovely out there. Ok....so the snowshoes were a bit noisy....but it was nice ....the sun even made an appearance. We ended hiking about 5 1/2 miles.......and by the end I was sore but it was worth it. It was nice to get out and get some fresh air...oh yes and some good exercise!

I went with my coworker Karen, her daughter Amanda and some of Amanda's friends

me!

on the trail

look at that view!

It was simply an amazing day.........and I am so glad I tried something new.......I will be putting this on my list of preferred activities.