Currently….September 2015!!!!

Yikes!

I have not posted here since last month's Currently. That's craaaaaazy!!!!!

I am really not sure where August went but I am happy to welcome September!

Once again I am linking up with Farley for her fun Currently Linky Party. (I don't know what I will do if she ever decides not to do these any more. I so look forward to them!)

Anywho, here goes September!

Listening….. to the sound of lights humming 

I am doing this month’s Currently at school because I killed our computer at home. It was an unintentional killing but it is dead all the same. 

sigh...

Until the hard drive is returned to life or a new one is purchased I am computerless at home. Oh well…there are worst things to be!

So, I am at school in our teacher’s office typing away. It is veeeeery quiet. Well, except for the buzzing lights!

Loving… My hearing aids 

(hence the reason I can hear the buzzing lights!)

I’ve had them about a month now and I am hearing sounds I had totally forgotten about it. For the most part I am happy to hear better. When it is the baby crying in the apartment above ours, not so much!

The real test will be using them in a classroom full of kids!

Thinking… I’m ready to go home… 

I have been here at school every day this week. (And a whole lot of other days prior to that!!!!) 

Today I’ve been here for almost 5 hours. I am so done. My classroom is still a mess but I am out of here as soon as I finish this post!

Wanting…. my classroom set up to be finished!!!

See above! 

It will get done by Friday but I am pretty sure that there are a couple more looooong days ahead of me. Sigh….

Luckily, the sun has disappeared this week and rainy weather has arrived so I don’t feel like I am losing the last days of my sunny summer break!

Needing… to get up earlier every day… 

During the summer I stay up late....like 1 or 2 a.m. late and sleep until 11 or so each day.

During the school year I have to be up at the disgusting hour of 5:30 in order to get in a workout before going to school. (Trust me working out after school does not work!)

And every year I say that I am going to start getting up earlier every day in the couple of weeks before school opens so that I won't be exhausted as my body clock adjusts.

And every year I don’t do it!!! 

Then I work the first few days on something ridunkulous like four hours sleep each night.

This year, I am doing it. Got up at 7:30 today. 

7:00 tomorrow!!!!

3 Goals...

Running… I have been running all summer at the gym and I want to keep it up. Don’t want to lose the momentum I have going!

House…I need to start making some decisions about what to keep and what to get rid of at home. In a month or so, we’ll be emptying out my mum’s house and I need room for some of the things I want to keep from there!

Cooking…I need to dig out my heart healthy cookbooks and start planning fall menus that are good for my hubby (and me!) I want his post-stroke health to keep getting better and good nutrition is a part of that!

And there you have it! I promise you’ll hear from me more now that school is starting (well, in 6 days, but who’s counting?!?!)

I am super excited about this coming school year and that I have a straight grade 1. So, so, so excited!!!! I can't wait to blog all about my lovely new class and all of our adventures in learning. Stay tuned!

Cheers!

Olwyn

Currently...August

Yep, it is that time again! Time to link up with Farley over at Oh Boy Fourth Grade. I am a little late to the party this month but I got here!

Listening…Spark is all about how images and words get changed and reattributed across the web with the proliferation of social media sites. It is interesting and touches on copyright, artistic ownership, reality of images… I didn't turn it on to listen particularly to this show. Just turned on CBC1 and that is what was on. You learn something new every day (especially if you listen to shows that normally you would not turn on!)

Loving…I go in about 45 minutes to get my new hearing aids. They are apple brand and bright red. I think it will be super duper cool because my hearing aids are controlled by my phone! I can answer the phone, listen to music and hear better without having to have any wires or headsets beyond the hearing aids themselves. How cool!

Thinking...the engineer is currently working on our community. Hopefully it will all be cleaned and floors waxed before next week. I went on a shopping spree at IKEA and got some new area rugs. I have a new vision for my classroom. Stay posted!

Wanting...I have been feeling really off this past couple of weeks. I am hoping that soon I will get some energy back. My husband called it ennui and I suppose he is right. It is most likely a result of being on holidays for so long. I enjoy the break but don't do well without a routine. 10 weeks is way too long for me. I think I would probably do very well in a year round schooling type situation where I could teach, then have 2-3 weeks off before teaching again. 

Needing...we are taking part in a garage sale this Saturday. I still have to figure out what I am going to sell! I know what I'm doing later today! I plan to be brutal. I'm going to purge like crazy and if it doesn't sell, it is going straight to the Salvation Army. It is NOT coming back in my house!!!!!

B2S RAK...I really don't know what to call it so just called it Office Bucket Filler. Basically, I plan to leave encouragement in the way of notes (and the occasional chocolate!) for teachers and staff in my school. It is something I have done in the past as well. It really is true that giving fills your own bucket. 

Well, there you have it! Another month gone and another month started. Time sure does fly, doesn't it?!?!

Cheers!

Olwyn

Currently...July

Crazy as it seems, it really is July. And, we all know what the start of a new month means....

It's time to link up with Farley!!!!

listening...silence is not something I get very often at my house. Or in my job for that matter. It seems I am always surrounded by noise. Both my hubby and my daughter love noise - talking, the tv, the radio, iPods, iPads, computers, you name it and it is making noise! I, on the other hand, relish the silence. Especially after a busy and noise filled day at school. So, now I am enjoying being in the office with no music on. Just the slight white noise of the tv playing upstairs!!!

loving...there is something so wonderful about not using an alarm, isn't there? I am just listening to my body and getting up (and taking naps!) whenever it tells me to!

thinking...today is Canada Day. It is after 12:00 pm and I am still in my pj's. There are lots of events happening and I am thinking about going to one. Haven't made any definite plans though. While I love my country, I do not love crowds and am not sure I am up to one today. Maybe for the fireworks tonight? Hmmm...We'll see...

wanting...I am the only person in my family who likes things organized. I am the one who has a drawer for shirts, one for shorts, one for pants etc. While my hubby and daughter literally throw their clothes in their dressers willy nilly! It would drive me crazy!!!! When I am working, the house organization kind of falls apart. I have pretty much given up on organizing either of them but I do want to spend some time this summer organizing the parts of the house I spend the most time in: the kitchen, office/sewing room, my studio, the bedroom and the bathroom. I think I'm going to have to pull out my trusty Flylady book and get busy!

needing....to start back to yoga...and the gym....and swimming...and generally taking care of myself. I have been saying this for a few months now. I'm not entirely sure what happened this year but I have definitely not been making my health a priority. That is going to change this summer. No excuses!!!!

all-star....I have been sewing for 33 years. Yikes! I have recently gotten back into it and have been doing lots of upcycling of men's dress shirts. I cut them up, put them back together by mixing different shirts into one and come up with a one of a kind piece of clothing. I am enjoying doing this. I really don't know that my sewing would fall into the all-star category but there you go....

Okay...so why are you still here? Head on over to Farley's and check out what other people are up to Currently...

Cheers!

Olwyn

Currently...June 2015

I am pretty sure that, in 1386, when Geoffrey Chaucer first penned what has become the phrase "better late than never" , he wasn't thinking about being late in writing blog posts!!!

However, I am going to avail myself of that phrase today and do the Currently for June!!!!

listening...I've been hunting songs to use in my year end slide show. I think this one has made the cut!

loving...I am so ready for summer. This year has been a long and difficult one for me with many challenges in all areas of my life. Not to mention, that it started with a strike for most of September (oops! wasn't going to mention that!) I am ready for summer. 14 days to go....

thinking...I really need to get going on my report cards but I somehow managed to leave my flash drive at school on Thursday (I didn't go in on Friday. I slept all day. Literally, ALL day!!! The bug going around the school finally caught me. Sneaky germs!!!!) They are due on Friday this week so I am sensing some long nights ahead of me. Sigh....

wanting...I know, I know, I'm about to be on summer holidays for 10 weeks. Isn't that a vacation? Well, I would just love to go on a real honest to goodness vacay where I physically leave my hometown. It isn't going to happen this summer but I want it to!!!

needing...I've been working on this for a few weeks now. Just downloaded 642 pictures I've taken lately. Yikes! I need to do some major editing or it is going to turn into my year end documentary!!!

summer lovin...
...sleeping in is the best. Doncha think? I am not a morning person AT ALL and love the days of rolling out of bed around 10 to enjoy my coffee on the back patio.
...organizing my classroom. OMG, I am looking forward to doing this SO, SO, SO much. If you aren't a teacher you probably won't get this but the time I spend in my classroom over the summer is crucial to my sanity from September thru June. Losing the time last summer and not being able to clean, purge, sort and reorganize (because of the strike) was horrible!!!!! It made my year so much more difficult. I NEED those summer days to get my room set up. I know that technically I am not expected to work in the summer and that coming in is my choice (and unpaid) but if I don't put the time in on my physical space, it is so hard to get my head on straight and feel ready to go in September. It makes the time given to work in the summer so worth it when my stress level is lower for the other ten months.
...lazy days. What's there to add to that?!?!

Cheers!

Olwyn

p.s. I hit 20,000 views today. Woot! Woot! That isn't much by blog world standards but it is A LOT by mine! So, thanks for stopping by and I hope you come on back to see me soon!

Currently....May

It's that time again! I am linking up with Farley over at Oh Boy Fourth Grade for this month's Currently...

listening...I went a little nuts on iTunes the other night. Bought a bunch of new songs (including a few of Meghan Trainor's) but my fave purchase is the new album from The Script (one of my favourite, favourite bands ever!!!). I am loving their song called "It's Not Right For You" all about going after what you love in your life. Great song!

loving...I have been to four church rummage sales in the last two weeks! And found great stuff. I must admit that I mostly bought for my classroom (board games, writing paper and more) but I did find a few things for home. I love this time of year when there are rummage sales and the garage sales start up again. I love thrifting and hunting for treasures!

thinking...we had a death in my husband's family this weekend and it has just brought forth to me, yet again, how important it is to show my husband and daughter how important they are to me. This life is uncertain and I don't want to ever let a day go by without them knowing how much they mean to me. 

wanting...this one goes with the rummage sales above! As I bring more stuff home, I need to start sending some stuff out!!!! Luckily, my neighbour wants to do a yard sale this month so I'm going to start culling soon.

needing...I haven't been eating right, sleeping enough or working out lately. And I can tell in my moods both at work and at school. If I am going to be at my best in all areas of my life then I need to make myself a priority and take care of me. I know I have said this before. It is an ongoing theme in my life. Ironically, I wrote the same exact thing for my needing in April. Clearly, I didn't follow through very well...Maybe this month I'll get it together and do better at taking care of me. Fingers crossed!!!! 

summer...
yes...Well, we are putting my mother into care this June. She doesn't really know (we tell her but, of course, with her Alzheimer's, she forgets) and it is not going to be pretty. I expect I'll spend much of the summer emptying out her house and getting it ready for sale.
hope...I keep having ideas for clothing I'd like to make but never have the time. Hopefully, this summer I can get in some serious sewing.
dream...I really, really want to go away with my hubby for a long weekend at least. It is unlikely that we'll manage it this summer but I'm not giving up on the dream!

And, there you go! Another Currently completed!

Cheers!

Olwyn

Currently...April

I am a few days late linking up but here is the latest Currently link up with Farley over at Oh' Boy 4th Grade!

listening...I have a bunch of playlists on iTunes. The yoga one is a favourite of mine. Unfortunately, I have been listening to it but NOT doing the yoga part! See my comments on needing below....

loving...I was so darn tired all last week and am so glad that it is a four day weekend! I slept all of Friday and much of Saturday, too. Now I get to have two days of weekend while I am awake!

thinking...I have been participating in the book study Worksheets Don't Grow Dendrites and am falling so behind on linking up for each chapter. This week will be a bunch of catch up posts. Stay tuned....

wanting...I hate allergies!!! I especially hate that I didn't get any of them until my 30's. I was doing just fine without them, thank you very much! It's bad enough dealing with the dust allergy all year long but throw in the pollens etc in the Spring and I am one unhappy camper. And they are especially bad in our home office right now so I avoid coming down here to use the computer, hence my not posting as often! Ugh!!!

needing...this one is pretty self explanatory. I have been feeling sluggish, blah and generally not good for awhile now and I know that it is in part due to my self care (or lack thereof!) I haven't been exercising enough, getting enough sleep or eating enough of the right stuff. So, this month I am going to get my act in gear and get back to taking care of me.

Eggs-plain my name...well, the blog one, anywho. Many, many years ago (in my last school) I had a wonderful colleague who would hide turtles all over my classroom for me to find. I was going through some tough times and the turtles were meant to remind me to persevere. You know, that whole slow and steady wins the race thing...To this day, when I see a turtle, I think of her and what a strong, steadying support in my life she was during those early years in my teaching career. I used to call her my "other mother, mentor, friend" and know that I am a better person (and teacher) for having had her guidance and support during my first 8 years of teaching. I still miss teaching with her!

Well, then students started giving me turtles as gifts and, before I knew it, turtles had become my "thing". The funny thing is that everyone always assumed that turtles are my favourite animal. I like them well enough but am not sure they are my fave. Not really sure I have a favourite animal...

When I moved to my current school, my classroom got christened Turtlepond, and I found myself with a turtle shaped swimming pool (a class gift one year) filled with turtle fabric covered pillows, a multitude of stuffed turtles (over 40 by the time we moved to the new building) and more metal, glass and wood turtles than you would believe.

The move to the new building (and the community model of teaching) got rid of my themed classroom but I kept the blog name and still have a few special turtles around my current room. But my classroom is no longer known as Turtlepond and I very rarely get turtles as gifts any more, though I did get two beautiful Swarovski crystal turtles for my birthday this year from one student (her older brother was in Turtlepond a few years back so her family knows about the whole turtle thing!)

It's funny, though, because the primary monitors working in my class this term were all reminiscing about Turtlepond and all we did there when they were in Grade 1 in the old building. And I had a parent tell me that the turtle shaped name tag from grade 1 still hangs on her grade 4 son's door AND he still sleeps with the stuffed turtle he got from me (I let the kids in the class the year we moved buildings each take a stuffed turtle home with them) on his bed. So, while the pond doesn't exist anymore, it is still living on in the happy memories of former students which makes me feel great!

And there is another month of Currently for you!

Cheers!

Olwyn

Currently...March!!!!

Hey everyone! I am linking up with Farley over at Oh Boy Fourth Grade for this month's Currently.

Here goes!

listening...I have recently discovered the a cappella group, Home Free. Apparently they were the winners on some tv show called The Sing Off (that I have never heard of!) Anywho, I love them! My favourite song is a tie between Any Way the Wind Blows and Everything Will Be Okay. Check them out...

And....to make it even better...they are coming here to my hometown!!! This month!!!! And...my hubby got us VIP tickets! Woot! Woot!

loving...it was just a really, really great weekend. Enough sleep. Enough time to read. Some art time with my friend, Carol. A show with singing/dancing/acting starring my friend's daughter and a bunch of kids from my school. BBC on the tv. Time to blog. Time with hubby. Just a great weekend overall.

thinking...it has gotten a bit crisp out there again. I think that old adage about March coming in like a lion and going out like a lamb is going to hold true this year. But, I am soooo ready to pull out my clothing tubs and pull out my Spring clothes. Which, of course, means putting away the winter stuff. Yay! I love doing this each year because I always forget what I own and unpacking the tubs is kind of like shopping without spending any money or leaving the house! I am going to wait until Spring Break and then all bets are off. I am unpacking!!!!

wanting...I got a text from my good egg today telling me that she has been throwing up and is running a fever. This is the WORST part of her being at university 3,000 kilometres away from home! I just want to be there to make her some tea and take care of her. I remember being sick when I was on my own at uni and it sucked...BIGTIME! 

needing...I don't want to have to do much school work over my Spring Break, so I need to finish the Seasons unit I have been working on to teach the grade 1's. And, I need to think about math as well. Plus, art and writing and.... Well, you get the idea. Since I have had a student teacher for 6 weeks, I am further ahead than I normally would be but I still would like as much done before the break as possible.

Spring Break plans...well, reading, of course. And sleeping in. I think those pretty much go without saying!!! I want to spend some time working on our place - cleaning out cupboards, getting rid of clutter etc. And I'd like to put some time into cleaning up my good egg's room. Since she's been at uni, it has become a bit of a dumping zone. (Sorry kiddo!) Some yoga, swimming and gym visits are on the agenda, too. Hubby and I will probably spend some time thrift store surfing (one of our most favourite things to do and a serious contributor to the clutter!) and, of course, I'll be going to hear Home Free in person!!!! Our 19th wedding anniversary is also over the Spring Break so I think we'll go out for dinner or something. It's all going to be pretty low key. No big plans at all. 

So, there you go. Another Currently completed. Now head on over to Farley's and see what everyone else is up to!

Cheers!

Olwyn

Currently....February 2015!!!!

I know that I have been in absentia lately...no reason really other than just not making the effort to blog. 

I have been in a kind of quiet place lately. 

Spending a lot of time alone. Reading. Journaling. Listening to music. Watching A LOT of BBC tv.

Anyways, another month has come and gone and it is time to link up with Farley for the February Currently. I have gotta say that I really love this link up. I think I want to be Farley when I grow up!!!!

listening...I tend to listen to the same playlists over and over. Today I tried to go to Pandora since I read about it on Heather's (from Learning With Mrs. Langley) link up with Farley only to discover that using Pandora from Canada is not that easy. Apparently there is someway to "trick" the site to think that I am living in the USA (virtually that is) but it all seemed way too complicated. So, youtube it is! I have found a playlist and am just giving it a listen. Who knows? Maybe I'll end up buying some new tunes for my own playlists!!

loving...getting my Mum to do much of anything has become more and more difficult as her Alzheimer's has progressed. Yesterday we had success! We took her to see Paddington. I really enjoyed it. I would even see it again. It was that cute!! Even better, Mum had a smile on her face the ENTIRE time!!! And I heard her laugh more than once. Is there a sweeter sound anywhere in the world than that? I don't think so!

thinking...I am starting to get what my Mum meant when she told me once that she never feels the age that the calendar says she is. It doesn't seem possible that I am almost 45. But, I have to say that I am pretty gosh darn happy with my life at the moment and I probably couldn't have said that with as much conviction at 25 or even 35. So, all in all, I am happy to be the age I am. And looking forward to birthday cake!!!

wanting...Portland has been calling my name for about three years now but it just hasn't happened...yet. Doubt it'll happen this year either but it would be nice to get away for a little while. Either at Spring Break or this summer. Fingers crossed!

needing...I haven't been able to put my finger on exactly what I have been feeling this year. Until my student teacher, after listening to me talking about the year thus far, said I need to be grounded. She's right. Not being able to work in my classroom last summer (because of the strike) and coming to work three weeks into the year with no cleaning up of the previous year or prep threw me off more than I thought. I am someone who loves routine. And I cherish the time in the summer where I clean, prep and organize for a new year (even if I don't get paid for it!!!)

That said, I am pretty proud of how this class has come together after a late start. We are pretty much on track to cover all of the curriculum even though we missed three weeks in September. And, if I can feel as good as I do after a late start, just think what next September will be like after having the whole summer to revamp my room!

pageant title...well, if you read this with any regularity, you'll know that my daughter (my one good egg!) is off in Toronto going to university. So, these past months have also been an adjustment to just being me and hubby again in the house. I have settled into it much easier than I ever anticipated and, thus, think I deserve the title of Queen of the Empty Nest! I think that hubs and I are rockin' it!!!! 

So, now that you have read all of this, what are you waiting for? Jump over to Farley's and check out what everyone else is doing....Currently!

Cheers!

Olwyn

Happy New Year & CURRENTLY for January

Well, as time does, it marched on and it is now January 2015. Wow!

This is the first time I have sat down at this computer since school got out over a week ago. And, I can't really say as I've missed it (or work!)

It's that time again when I link up with Farley for this month's CURRENTLY. Seems like I just wrote the one for last month but that seems to be the way of it these days!!!!

listening...I've got an "Easy Listening" playlist (does that make me sound old or what?!?!) on my iTunes and I have it on right now. It has lots of The Script, Carly Rae Jepson (before she asked for a call maybe), Amy Grant, Mary Chapin Carpenter etc. 

loving...I have been putting together my journal/dayplanner for this year. My friend, Carol, told me about this book called No Excuses Art Journaling: Making Time for Creativity by Gina Rossi Armfield. I was curious and went and bought it. So much fun!!!

I went and bought a dayplanner and have been busy this past week adding in watercolour paper, quotes, monthly prompts etc. I have high hopes for this book. I haven't been as creative lately as I would like and I am hoping that this book will help me to get back to that part of me.

thinking...it is back to work thinking for me. I am meeting with my student teacher tomorrow to plan out this next term. She starts Monday and has to be teaching 80% of the time by the second week or so. I like having a student teacher because it offers me a chance to work differently with students but, I have to say, it is not easy giving my class over to someone else. I spend soooo long getting the class running in a way that works for me and then have to hand it over. It is not always easy but it is always rewarding for me and the students to have another adult working with us.

wanting...as per usual, I got sick once I was on vacation. Typical!!! I have had a head cold for a week or so. It started with a migraine which has finally subsided (thank goodness!) and has meant many days spent sleeping and lots of kleenex (wish I had stock in that company!)

needing...okay, so this doesn't really sound like a need. I mean, I don't need to sew. But, if you were to see the clothes piled up everywhere from my foray to the Sally Anne during their 50% off sale, you would see what I am talking about. I bought shirts, skirts, blazers, t-shirts, all with the goal of being upcycled into something else. I need to do something with them all before they bury me alive!!!!

yes...to sticking with journaling daily. It is only a small box in a dayplanner and easily accomplished so long as I make the 15 minutes to do it a priority. 

maybe...to going to Portland (finally!) with my hubby. I have wanted to go for years. Every time I get some money saved something comes up and the money goes again. I am hoping that this year is THE year!!!!

I wish...One of the benefits of having a student teacher is that I get university class credits in appreciation for the work I do with that student teacher. I have been waiting (impatiently) for SFU to offer the graduate program I want to take on Arts in Education. If they offer it this coming year, I'll sign up. Fingers crossed!!!

And, there you have it! Me, currently, on January 1, 2015!! 

Cheers!

Olwyn

Currently....December!

It is totally cray-cray that it is December already! 

Even crazier is that we have only had 50 days of school thus far because of the strike in September. The late start has made this year feel like it is flying by!!!!

I am linking up again with Farley for this month's Currently. 

listening... do you know Matt Hires? I found his music on youtube through this video from soul pancake.

and have subsequently bought both of his albums. Love!

loving...if you had asked me a year ago if I would ever enjoy reading a digital book, I would have said NO!!!! I love the feeling of paper in my hands, the slight cracking of the spine as I read further into the book, the ability to pick up the same book and reread it again. I love having books in my home and my classroom. So, colour me surprised that the thing I use my new iPad mini for the most is reading!!! I just go online to the public library and borrow a book to read. So easy! So simple! And I don't have to take off my pajama's to do it!

thinking...pretty self explanatory. I never write them until the weekend before they are due since I know that they will already be two weeks out of date by the time the parents get them AND a month out of date before we meet for conferences! A lot of things can change with a grade 1 or 2 in two weeks to a month!! So that gives me two days to churn them out. I know that they'll get done. But, just like exercising, it is the getting started that is the hardest part!

wanting...Only 10 days until I get to hug my baby girl again! Not that I am counting or anything....

needing...I don't know about you but when my shoes start to get old, my feet hurt. Really hurt! Yesterday's treadmill workout was painful in more ways than one. I will be taking a break from report cards later today to go and buy myself a new pair of runners so that I won't miss my workout tomorrow!

giving...this year I got the best present EVER from my class and their families. Check it out!

It is the cutest, sweetest advent calendar I have ever seen! Each student brought a toilet paper roll to our class parent and she created this! (Just by looking at this, you'll probably figure out that she is a pretty awesome class parent!!!) I'm so lucky to have her!

Each toilet paper roll has a sweet little note or card from the student plus a bag of tea. Apparently, there is a little something in the attic as well but I won't be opening that until Christmas Day! 

It is such a wonderful gift! And I love that I get to enjoy it every day until Christmas! The kids love to see me open the roll each day and read out the message. I love it! So, thank you, thank you, thank you to my wonderful class for this lovely gift!

Now, I think I have procrastinated enough. Off to write report cards now!!!

Cheers!

Olwyn

Currently....November

How did it get to be November already?!?! And why does every month's Currently post start with my amazement that another month has come and gone? LOL

I am linking up (as per usual) with Farley over at Oh Boy Fourth Grade for this month's edition of Currently.

listening... I don't talk about religion or spirituality much since I truly believe it is a personal subject. To each his own and all that. I am not a churchy person. Nor do I belong to any one religion. I am however someone who believes there is more to life than that which we can see with our eyes. To that end, I have a playlist of music that makes me feel closer to spirit. 33Miles is my latest find. Beautiful music. 

loving... I know, I know, I have a quiet house to myself a lot these days what with my good egg off in Toronto for university. But, to have a Sunday to myself is rare. Hubby is off at a poker tournament and I am enjoying being able to use the computer, listen to my music and drink my coffee by myself.

thinking... I am still feeling like a hamster running around in its wheel where work is concerned. I never really realized how vital the time I spend in my classroom every summer is to my sanity during the school year (it is so worth the hours of unpaid work I put in!!!!) What with starting the year with three weeks of being on strike coupled with not being able to clean and organize over the summer, I feel very discombobulated. I hate it. I am going to spend some of my time today planning out the next 6 weeks so that I can get ahead of my teaching (or, at least, feel like I am getting ahead!)

wanting... this one ties into everything really but is mostly about needing motivation to get back on track with my exercise. I was so good over the summer going to yoga or the gym every day pretty much. I just can't seem to get into the early morning exercise routine I had last year. And I know that I need to. I would feel less like a hamster if I was working out regularly. Which is ironic really, as I would literally be on a treadmill if I was exercising regularly!!!!! So, the goal this month is to workout (either the gym or yoga) at least three times a week.

needing... our dining room has become sewing central over the last couple of months. I have started my Christmas planning and need to get it cleaned up in order to enjoy meals etc in the coming weeks. I know it will only take an hour or so but I am very good at avoiding anything cleaning related!!!!

reading...

I haven't actually started this but it is next on my list. Just picked it up from the library. Heard it was good and the central character is dealing with memory issues like my mother. I'll let you know if it's any good! 

So, there you have it...my November Currently. Now, head over to Farley's to check out what everyone else is currently doing...

Cheers!

Olwyn

Currently....October

Wowzer! I can't believe it is already October and I am only on my fourth day with my class. It is such a weird thing starting the year so late.

Anywho, I am linking up with Farley over at Oh Boy Fourth Grade for this month's currently.

listening...Criminal Minds started tonight and, boy, is it a creepy episode. I'm not a big one for horror type shows or movies but there is something about this show that hooked me years ago.

loving....my new class is rocking it!!!! I know that we are still totally in the honeymoon phase but so far I have to say I am loving the whole bunch of them.

thinking....well, if you are a regular reader of this blog you will know that there was a little kerfuffle with my blog this week.  My full glass attitude yesterday had a bit of a crack into it. It felt like a big old black cloud came down over me. However, today I got the silver lining. I had a student give me a card this morning. The card was a thank you for myself (and my colleagues) for all we did during the strike. I have to say that reading it made me teary. This family had no idea of the troubles I had been going through with this blog the day before. They just wanted to give a heartfelt thanks to their son's teacher. It filled my heart. It reaffirmed my belief in the basic goodness of people.

(On another note...I have since learned more about the complaint that was made but will wait for another post to get into THAT one! Trust me...I am still shaking my head at what it was really about!)

wanting...since school started up I have been working such long hours that I have not been managing to get to the gym in the mornings. I'm still getting to my after school yoga class but I miss running. I am determined to have my body back on track as far as my fitness routine goes. 

needing...this relates to the one above. While I am working on adjusting I am drinking too much coffee and not getting enough sleep. While I would love to drink more coffee, I think getting more sleep would probably be better for me in the long run. So, I'll be working on that!

trick or treat....TRICK! So, this year I am using a lot of different signals to let the class know when a transition is coming. I am determined that I will not get laryngitis (a yearly affliction in the early fall after a summer of little to no talking!) and so am trying something new. 

So far, it is working brilliantly. Wondering what the signals are? Well, your basic lights on/lights off for the 5 more minute warning before clean up and then my wind chimes for the actual clean up during choosing times. Pretty basic. But brilliant as far as I am concerned. I literally do not have to say a word. They just start cleaning up. It is miraculous!

But, my favourite type of signal by far is using song signals to let them know when it is recess ( a lunch song is coming soon!) When they are working at their desks and they hear the recess song, they know that they have to clean up, wash hands and get their snack out to start eating. I don't have to say a word. It isn't perfect yet but, boy, is it nice not to feel like I am nagging at some kids to clean up and get going already! 

I am loving the song and it was super cute today seeing some of the kids dancing away to it once they had their snacks out. Anywho, thought you might enjoy a listen of the song I chose, so here it is:

If you decide to give song signals a try in your class, let me know how it works out for you! And if you come up with some fun tunes! 

Anywho, I am going to follow my own advice now and go to bed early. Talk to you soon!

Cheers!

Olwyn