SOL #17 My Heart Broke Today

My heart broke today.  Again.

Excitedly, I scurried into Hobby Lobby to pick up some bundles of color.  I have done this countless times since I was three years old.  My mom and I would look for just the right bunch.  So, I knew the ins and outs of getting the best selection.

I made my way over to the floral department.  I passed some gladiolas that I really must get for my house, but left them in their spot today because I was on a mission.  As I rounded the corner, I saw them....

Easter Lilies.  See I grew up in a small town.  I have grown up reading our memorial in the church bulletin every Christmas and Easter.   Each name was represented by a lily or a poinsettia.  

Then, I began to sob.  

I have grown up going to the cemetary to change the flowers, check the flowers, etc.  It hasn't ever been a big deal to me because we have always talked about Angie being in Heaven.  It was a part off my growing up.  Now, it is a part of my grieving.  I wonder if it was part of her grieving, too.  Surely, her heart broke when she had to go out there, but my mother NEVER complained about going out there. 

Today, my heart broke.

Not because I didn't want to do the task and change the flowers, but I wanted my mom to be here with me.  I want to hold her hand and get her to check the flowers that I picked and tell me if they meet her approval.  I miss her terribly.  I feel I had to say good-bye too early.  

Then my heart broke again.

I bet she longed to hold her baby.  I bet she would have rather put flowers in the nursery instead of flowers on her grave.  My sweet mother had to bury her baby, my sister, way too early.  Angie was only two monts old when we had to purchase burial plots where my grandfather and mother now lay beside her.  My sweet mama had to say good-bye way too early.

So, Meme and I loaded up and went to "check on everything".

Then, as I looked over at my 93 year old grandmother, my heart broke.

 

   

    

Sol #16 I'm really good at this!!

Let me just say...I excel at summer and spring break!!!  I was up at five with my husband!  I made his breakfast and an extra for a mid morning snack.  

Then my day began...linens changed, bathrooms cleaned, floor vacuumed, and laundry started....check!  I have a schedule, and I love it!  List gets checked off!!  

Errand time..... That's when I called my sister to let her know how good I am at being home on a break!!!

                    Pretty sure she rolled her eyes!

                                                                      Rude!

But seriously, I am super productive on these days off.  I don't know what it is, but I love time alone in my house.  

Don't get me wrong....

I cherish  the times when my house is busting at the seams with family and noise.  

But....

these mornings...

these glorious mornings....

                                 all is right with the world!

SOL #15 Editing

My day has been spent in front of the computer screen.  The other side of my other love is the editing side!  I love doing it, but I don't like the time it takes to get the pictures ready for my clients to view. 

I'm so excited to have more and more people asking me to take pictures!!!   I have to get these done so I can move on to the next one. 

 Like teaching, my work is never done!  

But that's a good thing!!

SOL #14 My Other Love

It is true.
         I have another love!

I know what you are thinking!

                             How do I find time for another love, right?

Well, some times I wonder that myself, but I am head over heals in love.  It is like I am a teenager all over again!  I get to experiment and have fun.....throw caution to the wind...if you will!

I spent time with my other love today!  It was glorious!  We just click!  We work seamlessly.  Oh, yes, I have a lot to learn about my other love, and I feel I will grow as we continue to spend time together.  I am a blessed woman.


Okay, I know you are wondering, so here is my other love!

I know he is the most handsome thing, ever!

Our relationship is precious to me, and I am thankful to those who have supported our love!

       

Happy Saturday!

SOL #13 Anticipation

As I sit here getting my room ready, I am curious about the day.  Spring Break and Friday the 13th are promising a break from reality.  Will it be a great day that flies by or will it be a day full of twists and turns due to the 13th?  Only time will tell....

Spring Break starts in eight hours, but truly, who is counting?  LOL!

The electric air sizzles around our ears as whispers and typing fill the empty space.  There will not be much quiet that happens today.  Actually, I am okay with that!  I am taking a break!!!

My kids are blogging about their spring break plans.  Teachers are giddy about their road trips and time with their families.  It is a fun day to be in school because of the anticipation of what is yet to come.  Without a doubt, we will take a break!!!  I am so very thankful for a break!

The other side is today is Friday the 13th.  That is all....the 13th!

Spring Break starts in SEVEN and a half hours, now!!!!  Have a great day!!!

SOLC #12 Inspire Confidence and Hope

Inspire .....

                    Confidence and Hope

                 

These words rang out to me during our staff meeting today.  I started thinking about impact that teachers have on their students.  I have had many teachers in my life.  Some of them were in school, and some of them were a part of my community.  I don't remember exact words that any of them ever said to me, but I remember how I felt leaving them.  

I listened to their words, and I watched their lives. 

 

They are a part of who I am in my classroom, today.  

Teaching is an interesting profession because young minds are grasping for information in our presence at all times.  Therefore, our every movement and spoken word is analyzed.  Many times they remember my hair color, but the content is lost the moment the bell rings.  

So, daily I strive to mold, encourage, teach, and guide my classroom of nine and ten year olds to dream, wonder, question, and struggle.  Life isn't easy, and the answer isn't given to us.  I worry in our world of instant access we are loosing some of these things.  Therefore, I am challenged to give them experiences to have to build these character traits.

I pray my kids leave me thinking and questioning!  I want to know that they feel inspired, self-confident, and hopeful!  I want them to believe  that I think they are amazing!  Each of them can  persist and reach any goal that they set for themselves!!

SOL #11 Essential?

My ear has throbbed all day today. This is a miserable way to feel when 22 people are all desperate for your attention.  So got on "the" Google and looked up earaches.  It suggested several things like warm air....hmmm if I was home I could use my hair dryer.  *sigh* I should have stayed home.  

Another suggestion was to use peppermint oil. I didn't have any at school, but my friend Nancy had hers.  So I sent a kid with a note.  

Moments later, I had the sweet smelling essential oil in hand. 

I rubbed it on the back of my ear, my neck and around the outside of my ear. 

For the first time, I had some relief. 

Some of my kids complained about the smell, but I felt better.  

Now I'm cuddled in my bed with a fresh round of peppermint wondering...what are your thoughts on essential oils??  I'm so intrigued. I've almost spent tons of money on the, but at this time I've only bought two bottles.  I'm trying to figure them out.  

Do you and your family use them?  How?

I so want them to be....essential!

SOL #10. I love the people in my circle

You know circles are amazing things!! I have had the honor of being a part of many different circles.  I have my circle of family members who are more than I could ever ask for.  I have an amazing circle of friends who delight my soul. My mother kept us secure in a community circle full of precious people who's support and love have guided me.  My career is a gorgeous circle of people who taught me to strive for excellence.  My Aggie circle is so full of spirit it's hard to describe from the inside and difficult to understand from the outside.  

This year, I have been blessed to join a circle of educators that are simply more than I could ever be!  They are amazing and all of us together are fierce!  We have planned, listened, trained, complained and laughed together!  These women have made after school trainings something that I long for instead of want to avoid. 

I love the Do The Write Thing team!  I'm thankful for this experience!  I love knowing each lady better and being able to form a circle where I can grow, complain, encourage, moan, cry, laugh and learn!!!  

As we sat around the table tonight, I couldn't help but smile.  I'm honored and delighted that this circle has been in my life this year!!

Sol #9 National Napping Day

National Napping Day....ahhhhhhhhhhh!  

NOT for us!!!

Now at school we celebrated Read Across America, but we did not get to celebrate National Napping Day!  That would have been really nice!  It has been rainy and overcast in my part of Texas today, and a day to celebrate the nap would have been much appreciated.

In fact, my students were looking for this all day:

But, alas, we had writing and the Texas Revolution to talk about

We did good with Daylight savings, but I am pretty sure this will be all of us tonight!

SOL #8 Spring Forward

I love the seasons!  Each one blesses me in very different ways!  I love fall for football, sweatshirts, and blankets.  I enjoy winter for breaks, holidays, and lights.  I adore spring for tulips, flip flops, and bright colors.  I cherish summer because of free days, laying out, and vacations.

When it is time for time change, I am all in.  Usually, I long for fall back and an extra hour.  So, I really wasn't looking forward to spring forward this weekend! Actually, I didn't realize it was happening this weekend until Friday.

So, I warned my husband and braced myself to be in a horrible mood.

I slept fitfully last night, but that's because of my throat...not my clock's fault at all!

I got up this morning around 7:45, and I felt right...not frustrated or sleepy at all. My throat was killing me, but again, my clock did not cause that, either!

I am in bed right now and as soon as I submit this, I am out.  However, it's not because I lost an hour.  It's because it feels right!  I am not sure if I am just ready for spring or what is going on, but Spring Forward fits me! 

I'll let you know how I feel tomorrow after a day with 9 and 10 year olds!

Sweet dreams!

SOLC #7 Date Night

One of my all time favorite ways to spend time with Mr. Nabors is to go to book stores.  Now, you should know that I am a Barnes and Noble, Starbucks and find a cozy spot kind of girl.   

Nabors is more a Half Price Books, search the clearance, and search kind of guy.  I love a great bargain, but I get kinda frustrated when I can't find books that are on my list to add to my classroom. 

Tonight was a Half Price kind of night.  I looked through my section with my list in hand and walked out empty handed.  Nabs found thousands of "fabulous treasures".  There was delight in his eyes and that was enough for me!  

I got to touch, browse, and smell the books! Ahhhhh!  A perfect date night!

He did drive through Starbucks before we went to the store which was wonderful for my throat! 

Happy Girl!

SOLC #6 I Miss My Mom But I am Thankful for My Man

I came home this afternoon with my right tonsil inflamed.  I couldn't understand why I was so tired and willing to watch television all day yesterday.  Then, as I was getting ready for bed, I felt a heat wave come over me and my tonsils started to ache.  I do not remember a winter season where I haven't had to battle strep throat.  I have had my mom armed with a flashlight checking my tonsils more times than I can count.

Mom has been gone almost three years, and there isn't a day that I long to hear her voice.

However, when I am sick, I need my mamma.  She could tell in an instant what I had and what medicine would work best.  No one has ever comforted or looked after me like she did.

Until today...thankfully, when I called my husband this afternoon he immediately said, "let me look in your throat and see when you get home."  Oh I was so thankful for those words!!

Instantly, I was reduced to tears......(I know, I know...shocking!)

This precious man that I have been given has been exactly what I needed tonight.  He used a flashlight to check my throat, told me to start the antibiotics, and is taking care of me.  I know my mamma is proud of him!  I also know that God gave him the perfect words and has given me exactly what I need.  I am blessed!

Mama,
Jason is making you proud!  He is taking care of your girl!  I miss you!!  Always!

SOL #5 The one that had a snow day

"So no one told you life was gonna be this way
Your job's a joke, you're broke, your love life's D O A
It's like you're always stuck in second gear
When it hasn't been your day, your week
Your month or even your year but

I'll be there for you..."

Today we had a snow day, and I spent the day with my six friends from the nineties.  Chandler, Joey, Ross, Rachel, Monica, and Phoebe absolutely crack me up!  The sarcasm, one liners, and relationships were fabulous then and are still hysterical today.  So, I spent the day with them.

I didn't work on my photography website that I am redoing. 
I didn't read. 
I did cook breakfast and dinner, but rest of the time I sat and laughed!  Wow!  I needed this so much!!

The way their lives are weaved around each other reminds me how wonderful true friendship feels!! 

I have spent my day wrapped up in my denim blanket and watching these friends navigate through life.

Then, I looked over and...

saw who was really there for me.  This sweet girl enjoyed having a day of Jason and I being still and letting her join us!  Dogs are wonderful, relational and accepting. 

So....

(When the rain starts to pour)
I'll be there for you
(Like I've been there before)
I'll be there for you
('Cause you're there for me too)

Love my Penelope!  I'll always be there for you, too!

 The Rembrandts - I'll Be There For You Lyrics | MetroLyrics

SOLC #4 I need to believe,,,,

It is Wednesday, and this has already been a tough week.  I was looking for inspiration everywhere.
Love the inspiration quote today!  This blog is one of my spare moment joys.  So thankful for friends who are walking this path with me.

"Guard well your spare moments.  They are like uncut diamonds.  Discard them and their value will never be known.  Improve them and they will become the brightest gems in a useful life." -Ralph Waldo Emerson
 I was also inspired by this blog post and this book 

http://simplylearningtogether.blogspot.com/2015/01/slice-of-life-creed.html

to write a creed about my life experiences.  After the few days that I have had, I feel like I need to write what I believe....so....here goes!

I believe in God.
I believe that He made me for a purpose.
I believe that I am here to do His work.
I believe in love.
I believe in His plan.
I believe tears are healing.
I believe that teaching is a precious gift.
I believe in children.
I believe in asking questions.
I believe in wonder.
I believe in my family.
I believe laughter binds people together.
I believe in the people.
I believe my friends are the best.
I believe there is good in our world.
I believe.

I still believe.

SOLC #3 Is it enough?

 

"What there isn't any regular sausage?"  a gasp was heard around the grey and blue supermarket whose barren shelves have been stalked by the locals.  "What will we do if we have an ice day on Thursday without breakfast sausage?" we wailed.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, that is the MAJOR dilemma Mr. Nabors and I had to solve as we raced through Wal-mart to grab our needed groceries before someone else could snatch them. 

It truly is amazing to me what a weather report will make people (including myself) do to be able to provide for their families.  There were holes on the shelves where many staples had once sat.  I couldn't believe stuff was so picked over already. 

As we got into line, the people behind us had eight gallons of water.  EIGHT GALLONS!!  It's amazing what a buggy packed with items can do to a person who does NOT like to walk on Texas ice! 

(That would be me, and that story is for another blog!)

 

I started to rethink everything that I had put on the conveyer belt!  Frantically, looking for Mr. Nabors, I needed assurance that our few items were enough.

"Yes, yes, you are right." I agreed.  It is ONLY one day!

I hope we survive!!

 

SOLC #2 Read Across My Classroom

The lamps are lit, books are being gathered, and a comfortable hush fills our room.  It is time to read!!

I love special days where the world stops and everyone finds a spot to drift away into their chosen genre.  It is Read Across America day in honor of Dr. Seuss' birthday.

Our class decided to celebrate by stopping our world to read!  It was glorious!  Everyone had their books and began reading.   The mere fact that I was able to read the

  during our Reading time tells me just how engaged my students were in this magnificent celebration!  Yes, we have more writing lessons and activities to catch up on tomorrow.  Yes, we have objectives that we still need to go over.  Yes, yes, yes!

But for one hour...

         one glorious hour.....

                 our world stopped for a book!  It was well worth the reschedule of a few lessons!





On another note...our school also Read Across America by wearing something that we can read!  Below are how my awesome students participated!

And So It Begins...

https://twowritingteachers.wordpress.com/challenges/

Innocently, I checked my email yesterday and was elated to find that an invitation and challenge was sitting there waiting to be opened. The plea was sent from a dear friend whom I have had the honor of working with and getting to know better.  I adore her. Inspired, I quickly clicked the link in her email and signed up.  Then I sat back and thought, "I do not like the name that I gave my blog."

It has to be just right.

It can't sound....oh the pressure!

Frantically, I searched through thesaurus.com for synonyms that fit the feeling I have about blogging and literature.  I settled into Nabors' Nook because finding a hidden nook in a library or bookstore is always my idea of a great day!  I rushed to my blog and renamed it from Mrs. Nabors shares to Mrs. Nabors' Nook.  AHHHHHHHHHH!  Much better!

So, welcome to my nook! (I still have to figure out how to change it on my registration!  I hope everyone can find my little space!!)  The coffee is brewing and the fire roars a hearty welcome on this cold Texas morning.

You will see earlier posts on this blog where my class and I have tried to begin this journey independently.  We haven't made it!  Just being honest.  We have put a few posts here and there, but we haven't been disciplined enough to post a slice EVERY day!  I need my friends to hold me accountable, and I need to find my self-discipline again!

Discipline is my word for the month of March!

So, dear friends, I am tagging along to join you on this journey!  I can't wait to share my nook with you and see where this road leads!  I know one thing...I am thankful for the invitation!!