A look at selfies

Have you seen this going around on Facebook?  Have you skipped over it because it was a video and you were too busy?  Did you ignore my post telling you to watch this and remember you are beautiful?  Well knock it off.  Yep, I'm being bossy and I mean it.  Any woman who uses social media or a cell phone should watch this video.  And you know what, even those who don't could learn a thing or two about themselves and their self image.

http://unlooker.com/selfie/

I absolutely hate selfies.  I have kind of an issue with them.  Partly because we all know that person who is obsessed with their own image and can't stop sharing it on their timeline, Instagram, you name it.  I can guarantee you there will always be more pictures of my animals and kids than there will ever be of myself on my facebook.  And I can almost positively assure you that my profile picture will never be just a shot of me.

To be honest, I hate pictures of myself period.  And as I am usually running the camera, I try to make sure I'm not in them.  And if I am in them, I delete them when I get them off the camera.  I'm diabolical that way.

A few years ago I made a scrapbook about my mom for my girls.  And I tried to find pictures of her, but could hardly find any.  Realizing how difficult it was made me see that for my girls and grandkids sake I should have some pictures of myself at least.  And after watching the video I learned a lot about selfies, self awareness and self concept.  And I think it is worth a few minutes of anyone's time to share with their daughter.

Remember - you're beautiful!!

What's a day going by without a little drama???

It would be bliss, that's what it would be! But I swear, its like women secrete a hormone that requires us to turn the smallest thing into drama.  No matter how much we say we don't.  So to make me smile and get my mind off the never ending drama I did a google search.  You know what happens when I get to googling.  I find funnies!  This is totally like a super power I want.  Can you just imagine the pure awesomeness? The whining, crying, tears, if I can't win I don't wanna play starts and "Activate Drama Shield" and it all just bounces off.

HAHA!  This one got me giggling.  For two reasons.  One - it's totally adorable and two - I'm not going to lie, I first saw this one and was thinking to myself, "What's an alpaca have to do with drama?"  It took me WAY too long to realize that it was a drama LLAMA.  

You know, I'm pretty convinced too.

Oh my.  Sing it sister.  Admit it girls, we've all been there.  And looked back on it and were like, "wow - I blew that out of proportion." 

Lastly... Anyone under the age of 18 needs to cover their eyes and scroll past the next one.  It is NOT appropriate for you youngsters, but so funny I just couldn't help but share.  

I hope you all can activate your drama shields and have a drama free day tomorrow!  And while you're at it - have a smile on me!

I will punch the next person

who sings "the cold never bothered me anyway..." from the Frozen soundtrack.  I love the song the much as the next person, but it's a little inappropriate on a day when the morning wind chill hovered around -40 for hours and did not improve when the sun came out. If this cold doesn't bother you, move to Antartica, they are looking for scientific researchers there.  Or at least people to feed the dogs. I'd say Alaska, but it actually has been WARMER in Alaska than our area lately.

That winter sun.  What a weak and wimpy thing she is.  She shines as brightly, blinding off the snow,  but she does nothing!  Nothing I say!!  *shakes fist angrily at pathetic sun*

My southern friends don't get to experience the joy of frozen pipes.  That moment when you turn on the water and nothing happens.  And if you're really lucky they burst and destroy walls, floors, etc... before the fun is over.  We've been spared that excitement at least.

How many of you are wasting gallons of gas running your vehicles?  Running them to warm up, running them while you go inside to shop (only in rural Minnesota, right)?  It's a common thing to hear, "will you start mine too?" as people are leaving the building for the day.  Remote start never sounded so appealing as during a polar vortex.  And let's face it, with the weather we are having, we are all just thankful that they are starting.  Period.

Frozen waterers, frozen gas vents (shutting off the furnace), frozen house plants (literally - too close to a window), frozen Frozen FROZEN!!

There is nothing like going to the gym to work out and stepping out feeling like every bead of sweat just froze instantly to your body.  Because, it probably did, and then having the breath literally sucked out of you when the wind hits you and you fully appreciate what -40 feels like.  Makes a person want to stay home and just put on some "winter weight" instead.

But we Minnesota's are tough right?  We'll complain to each other about the cold until it's time to complain about the rain, road construction, mosquitoes or heat.  And then it will be time to complain about the cold again.

I don't know about you guys - but I feel a little like this guy...

The scariest day of the year...

So it's looming ever closer.  That most hated day of the year.  Everywhere you go you're reminded of it and there is truly no escaping it.

Nope, not tax day.
Nope, not the yearly dental visit.

The day they try to hide the horror of behind cute bears, boxes of chocolates (how can chocolate ever be scary - I know), piles of flowers and sappy sentiments.  Yeah.  You're catching on now aren't you?  Valentine's Day.  Aka the hardest shopping day of the year.

I haven't had a whole lot of special/happy Valentine's Days in my lifetime so I made a request of the boyfriend, let's just agree not to do anything for Valentine's Day, okay?  I just don't need that kind of stress in my life right now.

What am I stressing about you ask?  Oh let's see, first of all the ghosts of Valentine's past with expectations and disappointments, despair and desperation comes to mind.  Then you have the age old question, do you go incredibly sappy and sweet only to have it be awkward and uncomfortable or go with the old cliche box of chocolates/stuffed bear?  And really, let's be honest - what man wants chocolates or a bear?  So then what do you get them?  Can't fall back on the '90's mixed tape and card routine.  Nothing like a good action movie to say "I love you".   Come on guys - what do you want for Valentine's?

And girls aren't any easier.   Oh we claim we are.  Jewelry.  Jewelry is safe right.  I mean any woman will admit that they can be having a blah day, putting on their make up, doing their hair, and eh... Add a special pair of earrings and a necklace and cue Maria singing "I Feel Pretty" from West Side Story.  But let's be honest.  We're picky about our jewelry.  I mean, yes, I wear the silver fish with colorful crystals on it that Sophie gave me.  But it doesn't exactly make me feel like red carpet material.  Personally I'm not a gold fan.  Much prefer silver.  And I don't like big and clunky, I like dainty, small, but sparkly.  Love a little bling.  My sister likes flowery.  And other women could use their necklaces to take out invading bandits.  It's a crapshoot.

So chocolate is safe you say?  But we're picky about that too.  I mean really, why do they put some of those flavors in a box of chocolates?  Does any really like the nasty fruit cream ones?  Or the slimy chocolate center?  After the caramels are all gone, what's left?

So no chocolate - roses/flowers have got to be safe.  Except, while I think they are pretty, I'm kind of picky about flowers too.  And I don't think I'm the only one.  Ask any woman her favorite flower and I guarantee you'll hear everything from sunflower to rose, carnation to chrysanthemum, with daisies, orchids, violets and forget me nots thrown in there.  And then there is the practical side - they will die and they cost so much!  Now a fresh picked bouquet from a meadow, garden or special spot, is an incredibly romantic idea for Valentine's Day.  But in Minnesota, the only thing fresh picked would be an icicle bouquet.

No jewelry, chocolate or flowers?  Now what?  I'm guessing most adults would pass on the stuffed animal so that eliminates that idea.  So we are back to square one and my suggestion to just agree not to cave into public pressure and Hallmark on this made up holiday sounds better and better.

Now before you all start feeling sorry for Ryan and think, "God she is impossible to buy for!",  let's make a pact instead.  Let's agree to make every day about saying "I love you" and  "You are special to me".  Let's not wait for that one day a year to try to make up for being ambivalent and lackadaisical towards our loved ones.  Let's agree to surprise them with random cards, notes and heartfelt messages, whether it be via text or a simple call to say, "I was thinking of you when this song came on."  Do we really need a special holiday to remind us how much our loved ones make us feel special and happy?  Do we need a special day for us to remind them?  Let's make every day Valentine's Day and making sure that in 2014, our loved ones know how me we love them all year long.  That's right.  Get off your butt, grab that phone and text someone that you love them.  Guarantee they will be smiling when they get it.  (Unless you're a stalker and then back away from the cell phone and get help.)

Watch this video!

Please take a moment to watch this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_pGiUeVFEU

I stumbled across this video today after looking for a pick me up from a particularly frustrating day at work.  My job is frustrating from time to time, and there are days (few though they may be) where I want to just throw in the towel and give it all up.  But today it wasn't my day that was frustrating me, it wasn't my students or my coworkers that I felt frustration with, it was empathy for a colleague.

You see, this person faces the wrath of senior high students daily and around this time of year, that wrath can begin to wear on a person.  No one is more self righteous, self centered and self important than 16 - 18 year olds.  I mean, really, look back on your high school days and tell me you didn't believe you were right, almost everyone else was wrong, and nobody, I mean nobody, understood how hard it was to be you.  And then you go out in the world and realize, oops - boy did I have that wrong.

It's easy to look back with that perfect hindsight and realize that our teachers were just trying to educate us; prepare us to not only be good students, but good citizens and people at the same time.  Some of us took those lessons to heart and others, well others had to learn the hard way.  I know I can't thank my teachers enough for having faith in me and believing in me.  I was lucky enough to have strong family support, but for some young people, those teachers are the only people who truly care about them.

Have you ever sat around with old high school friends and talked about teachers?  Or maybe with your own children, told stories about the teachers you had?  Good and bad, I'm sure - we all have both types of stories.  My sixth grade teacher was a carbon copy of the headmistress on Matilda.  Youtube that one if you want a scary story.  But I also had amazing stories.  Stories of people that inspired me, celebrated with me, taught me tough lessons and were there for me when I didn't have anyone else to listen.

As teachers we hear all the complaints, must be nice to get paid for your summer's off (we don't - but try to convince Joe Public of that).  Must be nice to have holidays and weekends off.  (Many of us work second jobs or work on school work over holidays and weekend - but okay)  Teachers don't care, teachers don't work hard, or even that teachers don't matter.  I tell you what teachers do - they grow thick skins or they don't last long.  After 16 years of teaching I've given up fighting that fight - you're not going to change people's minds.  But when they start in, I ask them - you mean you never had even ONE teacher who made a difference in your life?  Wow, that's really sad.  Somehow I feel like you missed an important lesson along the way.

I know I could be better at it, but I try to do it as often as possible, thank a teacher today.  With the ease of communication tools we have today, there isn't any reason to take 5 minutes out of your day to text, email, facebook message or even fill out a card and pop it in the mail.  It may seem like a small thing to you, but I can tell you how very important it is to every teacher out there to hear from you!  You are the reason we teach and we love to hear from you!

Who you calling crazy?

It's Friday - we all need to get a little crazy.  Let it all hang out.  Rejoice and spread the joy.  I was counseling (aka having a vent session) with a friend the other day.  I expressed and shared great words of wisdom. I empathized and related to her frustrations.  I gave personal examples and made earth shattering revelations.  And I ended the conversation with, "Or we're both just a little bit crazy."  In an effort to make her smile I searched for crazy funnies on google.  (It's a hobby, past time, obsession depending on the level of crazy you want to make it.)  Oh my gosh did I ever laugh out loud at some of these.  I settled for this one:

Seriously, the song is stuck in my head.  It struck a chord because last spring in a debate someone had asked me what had me so upset, was I off my meds.  HA! I wish.  I'm not on any, not that I didn't try to convince the doctors.  But all agreed that give me meds and I would rule the world.  See the diva post if you don't understand that humor...

While that little ditty stuck in my head and made the top of the list, others were on the short list and just barely missed the cut. 

I'm always telling my boyfriend that I'm just a little crazy.  And really the above is good advice.

Well, really.  Do I need to explain?  To be fair, not all men are stupid.  But then not all women are crazy either.  See.  It's a joke.  Relax....

 I actually pictured myself making the choo choo motion with this one.   And her face says it all.  Looks like fun - anyone care to join me?

 Hmmm.....

 I have actually used this one!  Well, maybe I meant to use it.  Well, I thought about using it.  Okay - I said it "behind someone's back", but I should have said it!

 Oops - now how did that one get in there.  Yeah, well, the truth hurts and all that.  This is so my response the next time someone calls be a bitch, or crazy, or a diva for that matter...

And yes.  In fact, I'm not so good at that.  Some people should thank my besties for helping me control my crazy.  They truly don't realize how many times my friends have saved their ass.

Shout out to all my crazy friends!  Enjoy your Friday!!

A year ago today

was easily one of the scariest days of my life.  I don't know if I ever will forget the horrified calls from my sister and getting a call where you can't understand much of anything through the sobbing.  The few blocks across town have never seem like so many as I rushed to be by her side and heard the terrifying news about Alex's tumor.  Our lives were all forever changed by Alex's battle with cancer.

I'm so proud of our students and community and the way they rallied around Alex.  I learned a lot about love and caring and the power of human determination throughout his illness.  I learned that one person can bring out the best in others, and Alex's illness sure brought out the best in so many people.

I'm so thankful that Alex's journey has brought him so far and that his outlook is so positive.  A year ago we were reminded that every day was a gift and we have learned not to take healthy and happy days for granted.

Reflecting on this time last year reminds me again not to take the little things for granted, but even more importantly, not to sweat the small stuff.  In the big scheme of things my loved ones are happy and healthy, or at least healing, and that is what is important.

God doesn't give us more than we can handle and we are truly blessed to be here in 2014 with a brighter outlook on the future.  Hugs and happiness to you and yours for this year also!

Thank a teacher day...

I miss these guys...

And my seventh graders, ninth graders, sophomores, juniors, seniors, staff, EVERYONE at the high school. Of course they are now all another year older and this year's seventh grade class I never even got to meet.
I love love love my sixth graders and most days I can kind of forget about the high school (no offense to all of you)!  But then some days it comes rushing back.
One of the things I had to give up when I was moved back to the elementary was being the Jr. High Knowledge Bowl Advisor.  Oh how I loved that job!  Quiz bowl type competition with 7th - 9th grade students.  So much fun!  And I had a great team coming up that was sure to do well.  They didn't disappoint. Today on my newsfeed I saw their smiling faces with their Regional second place trophies.  So proud of them!  So I set out to email/message as many of their parents as I could to tell them to wish them all a big congrats.  I got the sweetest email back from one parent, edited to keep the author anonymous:

Hope all is well for you at the middle school. _____________ was very lucky to have you for a teacher for two years. Even though you are a closet Arts and Crafts teacher, ________survived all the artsy projects and  actually enjoyed them! Along the way, though, _________learned a lot from you. ........ ........ the sixth graders are benefitting from a great teacher!

I have to laugh at the closet Arts and Crafts - I do like my project based assessment.  But I haven't killed any students yet forcing them to use glue, tape, scissors, prezi or powerpoint.  And I love that parents can have a sense of humor about it.
I can't tell you how much that simple email was a pick-me-up today.  I encourage all students or parents just to take 5 minutes out of your day and thank a teacher that was important to you or made you smile.  It will make their day guaranteed!

Who you calling diva?

It had better be me! Seriously.  It has been brought to my attention that I'm being called a diva "behind my back".  That's another phrase that makes me laugh.  In small town rural USA, nothing really and truly happens behind your back unless you stand with yourself facing the corner and refuse to see what is happening around you.  So yeah -it's not like I didn't know this person was calling me a diva.  Quite hysterically they had accidentally texted me, talking about me, when they meant to text someone else.  What amazed me is that the person who told me thought I would be upset.  In their defense they are younger and young people do tend to get their feelings hurt more easily.  And apparently the "perpetrator" made it obvious that they meant it with a negative connotation.  But really, who can argue with JLo?

Now I don't think I work harder than "everybody else".  But I do work harder than the person who called me a "diva".  :)  It's easy to sit back and blame someone who succeeds for your failures.  The old "sour grapes" mentality, "I would never want to be that way anyway."  Oh yes you would.  You just don't have the gumption or guts to go for it. 

I've always thought of a diva as a lady who knows what she wants and goes for it, no matter how hard she has to work for it.  Now some divas take it to the extreme of course and seem to think they have become more important than others.  And some divas become queens of their trade, successes in their fields.  

Who decides?  In my book the diva decides and for me, I'm going to take my diva remark as a compliment.  I'm going to congratulate myself on being a strong, confident woman who knows what she wants and goes after it.  Who works hard and is proud of those hard fought accomplishments.  And I'm going to celebrate what ever successes happen in my life, big and small.  

While I'm not taking it to extremes....

I do believe that if you act like a true princess, http://www.babble.com/kid/10-princess-qualities-i-want-my-daughters-to-have/cinderella/, you deserve to be treated like one.  

Carry on my fellow royalty! 

What it Means to be a Runner

Wow.  I was looking for a google image this afternoon for a "magic dress" (don't ask) and for some reason in my options the following came up.

It totally talked to me.  I love running.  HAHA.  Wait, that's complete bullshit.  I do not love running or working out. I love how I feel afterwards.  I love how strong it makes me feel.  But I do not love how hard it is to get started and this quote really wrapped that all up in one neat little wrapper for me.  For sure I don't run because it is cool or for status.  That could never be reason enough for me to get out of my comfy bed or off my comfy couch and go slog through 4 or 5 miles on the treadmill.  And no one who has seen me run would ever think it's about winning races or speed.  It is all about strength and proving that I am strong.  Not to others.  But to myself.  That's why for me, most of the time, my running is so private.
Another quote I love, that inspires and describes me is:

And this is my wish for all my friends just picking up the sport or even thinking about running.  Get up, get going and just run. 

Just For Kix dance recital

We had our first official dance recital yesterday!  How exciting.  Now, you might be thinking to yourselves that you have heard of/seen us in our dance gear and at events before, but those were all just leading up to the big winter recital of yesterday.  So far Sophie has performed at her first competition, a basketball halftime show, a fundraiser and now.... the big show.
It was an afternoon of excitement and hairspray as little girls were paraded through the school cafeteria to get their pictures taken and then out to the stage for one last practice.  Sophie grudgingly put up with the curling with only a few "it's hot!" and one "you're pulling my hair"!  For a little girl who loves to dress up, she's quite content if the hair part is left out.  It didn't help when the photographer's assistant told her that beauty was pain.  She just responded she didn't want to be beautiful then.  Well- we go the curls done and then left her with her group to find seats for the show.
I will never tire of watching her perform.  Being a cheerleader myself and a cheerleading coach for several years before she was born, I was incredibly proud of her.  When I asked her how she got so good at it and so crisp and sharp she gave all the credit to horse showing.  She said, "all those showmanship practices must have really paid off."  I guess she's right.  After thinking about it, I could definitely see the correlation.
We were very proud of her when the curtain was drawn on the last dance and the recital was over.  Her first big recital in the book.  Everyone that watched her said they could tell Sophie had found her joy.  It was pretty obvious!

I've rewatched the video a thousand times and it still brings a smile to my face: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrGLqS1f7Uk&feature=c4-overview&list=UUvk5F9t4yRvKHPRdI989DkA

And this one - well, it's a light show so you can't really see her, but she's the red lights...somewhere....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnsqCc2P2JM&feature=c4-overview&list=UUvk5F9t4yRvKHPRdI989DkA

Dream Big

A very good friend shared this video on her facebook today.

At first I kind of disregarded it, how many times have we all heard this song?  But then she posted to really listen to the words of the song and something made me go back and listen.  It really is an amazing message.  If you have never really listened to the words, please go back and listen again.  Ah hell, I'll just post the lyrics here:

When you cry, be sure to dry your eyes,
'Cause better days are sure to come.
And when you smile, be sure to smile wide,
And don't let them know that they have won.
And when you walk, walk with pride,
And don't show the hurt inside,
Because the pain sill soon be gone.

(Chorus)
And when you dream, dream big,
As big as the ocean, blue.
'Cause when you dream it might come true.
But when you dream, dream big.

And when you laugh, be sure to laugh out loud,
'Cause it will carry all your cares away.
And when you see, see the beauty all around and in yourself,
And it will help you feel okay.
And when you pray, pray for strength to help to carry on,
But when the troubles come your way.

(Chorus)
And when you dream, dream big,
As big as the ocean, blue.
'Cause when you dream it might come true.
But when you dream, dream big.

(Dream big.)
(Dream big.)

When you cry be sure to dry your eyes,
cause better days are sure to come.
And when you smile be sure to smile wide, and
don't let them know that they have won.
And when you laugh be sure to laugh out loud,
'Cause it will carry all your cares away.
And when you see, see the beauty all
around and in yourself, and it will help you feel okay.
And when you pray, pray for strength to
help to carry on when the troubles come your way.

Wow.  Powerful words and a powerful message.  I was told today that I have a "poor me" attitude about this divorce.  By someone who doesn't tend to blow things out of proportion or make crap up.  So maybe I do need to re-evaluate how I'm coping and dream big.  Maybe it's time to stop looking back and listening to what I've been told and see the beauty all around and in myself.  
So in the words of my good friend, my wish for myself and all of you this new year, "Dream Big!"