image: WeHeartIt
Today you’ll find me guest posting on Rosie Molinary’s blog. Please check it out and be sure to leave a comment to let me know you stopped by. Yes, it’s a reprint…one worth repeating if you ask me.
While you’re there please be sure to poke around in Rosie’s archives. She’s got a bunch of excellent work on self-worth, beauty, self-acceptance and adoption.
Here’s 4th part of the So You Think You’d Like to Teach School series. The idea for this series came out of some questions I’ve gotten from folks interested in making teaching their profession.
Classroom Management
How does one teacher get a room full of students to all cooperate at the same time? How does one teacher get a room full of students from the classroom to the library and back? How does one teacher coordinate a classroom full of students of all abilities, temperaments and backgrounds to work together as a community?
In a nutshell, that’s classroom management.
One of my teacher credential text books asserted 90% of student misbehavior is teacher caused. If that us true, we have a lot of responsibility for how our school days go, regardless of who is in our class.
Some of the books I have used over the years, I’ve included below. Please click on the book image for more information on each title.
I consider these books to be an essential starting point for effective classroom management. Obviously you’ll find your own way, but these books can help get you started.
I’m not going to lie, I have a little crush on Fred Jones. His sense of humor kills me. If you have the opportunity to take a training with him (or his videos), please do. My students have always responded well to daily (sometimes twice daily!) Preferred Activity Time (PAT). It keeps students focused on completing their tasks as teams in a timely manner and me focused on positive behavior.
“Pay now or pay later” is Mr. Wong’s philosophy about spending time in the beginning of the year to teach (and practice – over and over and over again) procedures in your classroom. Effective procedures make for an organized, structured and sane classroom.
This book was my bible while I was sub teaching. I read it twice during that year and again while I was student teaching and have returned to it again and again during my career.
Fair, firm and consistent is the message I got from Setting Limits in the Classroom. This is another training I felt worth my time. Lisa Stanzione’s presentation brought the book to life – although I think it stands on its own.
The text for a graduate level classroom management course and it gave such good advice I sent it to my dad. It is as much a parenting book as it is a teaching book.
Another book that is written primarily with parents in mind, however these methods can easily be used in the classroom.
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What are your favorite kid management books? What is your go-to read for classroom management or parenting? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
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Do you have any teaching questions? Curious about anything related to classroom or yoga teaching? Let me know and I’ll do my best to answer it here.
Stay tuned for more in the So You Think You Want to Teach series: Taming the Homework Beast, Parents: Friend or Foe
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Be sure to click on the Life as a School Teacher link below for all the posts in the series.
One of my 43 before 43 is to take Ruby to the ocean. Living on the West Coast means {at least for me} having a deep love of the sand, waves and sunshine. However living with a baby, I am learning, is about taking things as they come and maybe crossing your fingers a bit. With my huge desire to experience a weekend away from home and to stick my toes in the sand, we set off for our journey. Over the new year weekend we drove out to Jenner to spend time with our friends A+B. We were very a little nervous about taking Ruby for such a long car ride since she has officially registered her opposition to the car seat. What a delightful surprise when she slept pretty much the entire way there and we were able to enjoy a few days away. Here are a couple of snaps from The Girl’s first visit to the beach. 
We’re looking forward to taking Miss Ruby on more adventures. Tell me about trips you’ve taken with your little ones. What shouldn’t we miss?
A way to capture the spirit of each week…
{via – pinterest}
tasting :: kiwi and blueberries in soy vanilla yogurt
hearing :: the score of the artist.
smelling :: the first rain of the season. it’s not really the first, but since it’s been so dry, it smells like it.
seeing :: new friends, co-workers and so many visitors from our yes and yes adoption post.
feeling :: like all my pieces have been put back together, thanks to magic hands.
wishing/hoping :: our meeting with our social worker goes well this morning.
What about you?
What are your senses this Saturday?
Looking back, how was your week?
Leave a comment and tell me all about it. I’d seriously love to hear about your week. Now’s not the time to be shy.
This weekly tradition inspired by Pink of Perfection’s Five Sense Friday.
Don’t forget to click the links!
As part of my 43 Before 43 I’m reading 43 Books.
photo credit: ponderingyogini.org
After a lifetime of panic attacks, author Pris Warner decided she would like the brain of a monk and all that comes along with it – peace, tranquility, compassion, loving kindness, wisdom and patience.
In Learning To Breathe, she takes a year to discover the path to peace.
Friends, I loved almost everything about this book.
I immersed myself in the author’s story and admired the author for facing her fears. I found her immediately likable and I really cared whether she would be relieved from her panic attacks in the end. Reading quickly over three days I was reminded of my own lifelong desire for inner peace.
Hmmm, maybe I need to get myself back on the cushion.
My only issue is I found it to be a bit tidy. What do I mean by tidy? The author decided she wanted the brain of a monk and next thing you know she’s on the path to a daily 20 minute meditation practice.
I have been struggling with adding meditation to my life for years, so I wonder how this happened so effortlessly. She didn’t feel any resistance or forget just plain forget? I need some of that!
That was my only beef with the book.
I sped through each chapter which covers a month and a spiritual practice aimed at resolving her panic attacks.
While I don’t suffer specifically from panic attacks, I do suffer from complex PTSD and as a result have also used many of the therapies the author experiences in my quest to find a more peaceful existence.
The one hold out for me has been EMDR. As a result of reading about the author’s success, I decided to give it a try.
I may or may not be writing about that experience later, but I am hopeful that I will be able to move forward because if this treatment.
Do I recommend this book? Without a doubt.
Would I want to be friends with author? Yes, if for nothing else, to get some meditation tips.
Have you read Learning to Breathe? What did you think?
I am Tami. I live in Sacramento,California with my 14 month old daughter, Ruby and my husband, Jed. I’m on parental leave from my third grade teaching job to take care of Ruby. I also teach restorative yoga at It’s All Yoga on the first Sundays of the month. I first found yoga in my late 20’s, but didn’t start really practicing in a meaningful way {ie not just as exercise} until my mid-30’s.
I also came to teaching later – at 33 – I entered my credential program and landed my first teaching job the following summer. Part of the reason I found a quieter and kinder yoga practice is because I was burning myself out on teaching. I needed to find a way to help me relax enough to enjoy the career I finally loved.
Obviously I have a blog, you are reading it right now. I read about a gazillion other blogs daily while Ruby sleeps on my chest, so if you’d like a new reader, please be sure to include a link. My tastes are all over the board, I like: minimalist lifestyle blogs, fashion/body image blogs, yoga blogs, life (versus lifestyle) blogs. Some of my favorites are Pink of Perfection, Yes and Yes, Just A Titch, Non-Consumer Advocate. I’d love to hear about your favorites, so tell me what you love to read.
I’m always looking for post ideas, so please don’t be shy about what you like and what you don’t. Some of my most popular posts have come from suggestions from readers, so I’m all ears.
I’m always slightly confused when someone I’m talking to refers to something I’ve written about that they haven’t left a comment on because I have no idea who reads and who doesn’t. PS – it’s thrilling, but momentarily confusing, so be sure to come out of the lurking closet so I don’t feel like I’m talking to myself and I don’t have to wonder if you are reading my thoughts from my head or the internet.
Now your turn!
Today I am guest posting about adoption over at one of my favorite of all times blogs – Yes and Yes. If you are curious about the hows and whys of our adoption journey, this is where you’ll find some answers.
Sarah Von is a world traveling former ESL teacher with a love of Taiwan and a contagious laugh.
I hope you stop over to read my post and while you are there stay awhile and get to know Sarah a bit.
A way to capture the spirit of each week…
{via}
tasting :: skillet gnocchi with swiss chard and white beans {i’ll post the recipe later – delish!}
hearing :: a lot of whiny half-crying from mrs-just-doesn’t-feel-quite-right {cold be gone and teeth be in already!}
smelling :: rosemary baked potatoes
seeing :: the park most days this week
feeling :: like i just jumped off a cliff – i asked for another year off of parental leave {!!!} i know it’s the right thing to do for our family, but yikes.
wishing/hoping :: for all our big scary grown up paper work businessy business {life insurance, taxes, court readoption} to finish themselves already. boo on being a grown up.
What about you?
What are your senses this Saturday?
Looking back, how was your week?
Leave a comment and tell me all about it. I’d seriously love to hear about your week. Now’s not the time to be shy.
This weekly tradition inspired by Pink of Perfection’s Five Sense Friday.
Don’t forget to click the links!
Here’s part 3 of the So You Think You’d Like to Teach School series. The idea for this series came out of some questions I’ve gotten from folks interested in making teaching their profession.
Volunteer or at least observe 20-40 hours in a classroom, preferably in the same one. If you have to take vacation time from your job, please do. It is remarkably illuminating watching someone work. Plus you will get a head start on what is expected when you are in the front of the room. It will also help you get a head start on your credentialing school application.
Read teacher books and blogs.
Books I found inspiring:
Read some blogs to get you thinking about what issues teachers are facing today. Here are some of my favorites.
It’s Not All Flowers and Sausages
Blogging Through The Fourth Dimension
Informational interview all kinds if teachers: ones who love their jobs and those that hate them. Find out why. It is better to know what you are getting into before you find yourself in a career you hate.
Make teacher connections on Twitter. New teacher chat #ntchat on Wednesdays at 5pm PST is a treasure trove of excellent ideas. Other helpful hashtags include: #mathchat #edchat
Read 20 Tidbits for New Teachers from Lisa Dabbs.
Substitute teach. Sub teaching was as beneficial {or more} than my credential program in a lot of ways. Kids will never be more ill-behaved than with a sub, so you get a sneak peek into future behavior issues now. It helped my classroom management a lot. Plus, being paid to practice teaching? I’d say a pretty good gig.
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Did I miss anything? Have a question about teaching? If so, leave me a note in the comments.
Stay tuned for upcoming topics in the series: Classroom Management, Taming the Homework Beast, Parents: Friend or Foe?
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Interested in more about Life As A School Teacher? Be sure to click the Life As A School Teacher category link below.
Here’s part 2 of the So You Think You’d Like to Teach School series. The idea for this series came out of some questions I’ve gotten from folks interested in making teaching their profession.
Time Management
My first couple years of teaching were intense and exhausting – mentally and physically. Changing my career in my early 30’s meant I had something to prove {at least to myself} and so I set out to be the best teacher ever.
The first few months of my new career I went to every single afternoon, evening and weekend teacher training offered because I wanted to, no, needed to KNOW IT ALL – NOW! As a result, I worked a ridiculous number of days in a row without a break.
Something like 62. Completely nuts, I know now.
I assigned loads of homework and stressed out about the mountain of ungraded work quickly filling my otherwise empty filing cabinet. {I ended up just tossing it all in the recycling bin ungraded at the end of the year}.
Days started before sunrise and most nights I came home ravenous after dark.
I agonized over lesson planning, parent interactions, and special education plans.
Even though I had a mentor and was married to a teacher who kept telling me to slow down, to take care of myself and to understand I was still learning, I just kept going and going and going.
Looking back, I’m not quite sure how I survived.
I set out to be the best teacher ever and instead I got strep throat by Labor Day and pretty much stayed sick all year.
Strawberry Twizzlers were consumed by the pound.
I gained weight, slept horribly and developed an enviable case of stress acne.
My stomach was constantly in knots, as was my back.
My students were nervous around me, by winter break I was convinced I didn’t have the energy to finish the school year and someone’s mom called me a bitch at Open House {true story}.
Why am I telling you all this?
I hope you can learn from the mistakes I made my first years and learn how to take care of yourself while you are becoming the best teacher you can be.
How much time did I put in to teaching my first year?
All of my time. I wouldn’t let myself have any fun. I just worked. I barely had time to groom myself because I was completely obsessed with school work.
My friends told me they felt like school year widows because they never saw me anymore.
Would I do it like that again?
I would hope not! Old perfectionism habits are hard to break, but my aim would be to not run myself ragged.
Here’s the thing, teaching is like a marathon – slow and steady really does win the race. It is physically, mentally and emotionally impossible to sprint a marathon.
Time Management Tips for New Teachers
Do not expect to know it all right away (or ever). That is ok. You are human and a beginner. Be nice to yourself.
Look beyond your school for help and community. You may find kindred teaching spirits online, so develop your tech muscles. Twitter has changed the way I think about teaching. I no longer feel completely dependent on those people I know in person to give me some direction in my classroom.
Ask for help in your classroom – what can you delegate to parents? Some really do want to help.
Suggestions for things in the room and ideas for things for them to take home:
Ask yourself what can you do LESS of? Grading homework? Having perfectly crafted bulletin boards may look lovely, but it is worth your sanity?
Decide what you how you will handle your papers before you get your classroom keys- I was astounded my the sheer volume of papers coming into my classroom. Please for the love of god, whatever you do, don’t just pile it on the corner of your desk or dump it in a filing cabinet. Take it from me, you’ll want to make it a priority to only handle papers once. Also: get a huge recycling bin.
Seek out a mentor who you admire their work/life balance – again, you may find this person online rather than at your school site.
Set a time limit for the number of hours you will work each day and then stop. Finally in my third year I decided I had to leave school by 4:00. I could work a little at home and on the weekends, but 4 was my school limit. I found after that I was just spinning my wheels, chatting with other teachers and generally not getting much accomplished anyway. I promise, the work will wait for you.
Exercise daily. Can you combine obsessive teacher talk (we’ve all got it at some level) with a brisk walk? One of my friends walks every morning before school with her grade level partner thus killing two birds with one stone. Absolutely brilliant if you ask me!
Go to bed early. About 5 years ago while trying to battle yet another illness, I started going to bed in the 9 o’clock hour instead of 10. Changed my life! So much less need for caffeine and sugar when I am properly rested.
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Did I miss anything? If so, leave me a note in the comments.
Stay tuned for upcoming topics in the series: Classroom Management, Taming the Homework Beast, Parents: Friend or Foe?
A way to capture the spirit of each week…
{via}
tasting :: dilly egg salad on toasted sourdough and trader joe’s vegan chocolate chip cookies
hearing :: babies talking and the greatest hits according to me – aka my old 97’s fantasy set list.
smelling :: freshly laundered baby clothes and burt’s bees baby shampoo.
seeing :: friends and ruby charm the pants off everyone in the waiting room at the court-house.
feeling :: less lonely. i’ve been surprised how isolated i feel sometimes when i’m just with the baby all day.
wishing/hoping :: for all our big scary grown up paper work businessy business {life insurance, taxes, court readoption} to settle down and get finished with the least amount of hair pulling out.
What about you?
What are your senses this Saturday?
Looking back, how was your week?
Leave a comment and tell me all about it. I’d seriously love to hear about your week. Now’s not the time to be shy.
This weekly tradition inspired by Pink of Perfection’s Five Sense Friday.
Don’t forget to click the links!
A way to capture the spirit of each week…
{via}
tasting :: raw macaroons from the co-op and a delicious vegetarian lunch from orphan.
hearing :: the baby wheezing like our asthmatic cat.
smelling :: spring {and sneezing}.
seeing :: the baby fight the nurse to the bitter end over her breathing treatment. girl’s got spunk.
feeling :: almost healed myself and SO GLAD the baby is recovering too.
wishing/hoping :: for good health for our little family and yours too.
What about you?
What are your senses this Saturday?
Looking back, how was your week?
Leave a comment and tell me all about it. I’d seriously love to hear about your week. Now’s not the time to be shy.
This weekly tradition inspired by Pink of Perfection’s Five Sense Friday.
Don’t forget to click the links!
A way to capture the spirit of each week…
{via}
tasting :: chai with extra cardamom.
hearing :: snoring from me and the little one.
smelling :: citrus cough drops.
seeing :: the doctor and naps as essential to my healing.
feeling :: better, but not quite well. bronchitis is for the birds, friends.
wishing/hoping :: that ruby’s cough doesn’t last as long as mine has.
What about you?
What are your senses this Saturday?
Looking back, how was your week?
Leave a comment and tell me all about it. I’d seriously love to hear about your week. Now’s not the time to be shy.
This weekly tradition inspired by Pink of Perfection’s Five Sense Friday.
Don’t forget to click the links!
As part of my 43 Before 43, I’m reading 43 books.
I am totally conflicted about this book. I didn’t put it down until I was finished despite having just come home with a new baby and a serious case of insomnia. And yet, I was irritated the whole time I was reading it.
Let me start with what I really liked about the book:
So what was my problem?
I think I identified a little too closely for my comfort with Claire. This book could, in a lot of ways, be mine. Although at points it just sounds whiny and precious and all first-worldly and I wanted to smack both of us and quite frankly I’m not sure I wanted to tell this story yet (or ever), so it was shocking to see it on the page.
Claire’s yoga story is so similar to mine, with all it’s twists, turns and complaints, I felt like she’d some how inhabited my most annoying self and decided to let that cat out of the bag. It just isn’t the easy breezy side I’ve been trying to cultivate for the world to see and I’m at once horrified to see all “my” crap out there and secretly thrilled I’m not the only one with this particular brand of crazy.
In a completely petty side note, the mention that her brother was in a band that was super popular in the 90’s (and she named the band!) bugged the holy hell out of me. Why? I guess because it seemed all star-f*ckery and it totally wasn’t relavent to the story. Brother? Yes. Name of band? No.
The all important question – would I want to be friends with the author?
Absolutely. At the very least we could talk about how great the 90’s were.
Should you read Poser?
Yes, if you are someone exploring yoga beyond a Saturday morning exercise class or is interested in a brief look into the history of the other limbs of yoga.
Have you read Poser? What did you think?
Clearly I thought (at the time), I’d be teaching high school social studies or government at the community college level. Turns out, I was made to teach elementary school. {See: Best Part}
Here’s a little interview I did talking about discovering my inner teacher, dining with rock stars and working too much.
Was it scary to change careers?
Absolutely! But the thought of staying where I was scared me even more.
I bridged the money and experience gap through substitute teaching for a year while I was earning my teaching credential. Nothing prepares you for teaching like doing it every day with new kids – not even your credential program.
During that year I learned about classroom management (and how it was the most important part of being able to teach), organization, ages of students I was most interested in teaching, and that yes, I really like kids and wanted to spend my work days with them.
What program/school did you go through to get your credential? Would you recommend the program/school you went through?
I went through the UCDavis/Sac State Collaborative program – an intense 1 year program which has since been dissolved. Both colleges offered challenging courses and helped me develop my teaching philosophy.
UC Davis professors helped me learn how to teach kids to read (and pass the RICA), how to use a read aloud to develop a community of learners, challenge my students with writing in math, use games to further learning as well as teach me some math fundamentals I never learned.
Who knew multiplication was actually just repeated addition?
You did?
Can you say that about your co-workers?
What do you like least about teaching?
Hmmmm… the endless meetings for meeting sake? What about paper work for paper work sake? Everyone and their grandma thinking they know how to do your job better than you because they went to school? The national “debate” how my profession is RUINING THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT?
Christ, I may have to start a whole other blog for this one. Since I don’t have time for that, please go read Mrs. Mimi at It’s Not All Flowers and Sausages. She says it better than I do anyway.
Stay tuned for Part 2!
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Do you have any questions about becoming a teacher? Do you have anything to add?
A way to capture the spirit of each week…
{via}
tasting :: eggplant chickpea hummus.
hearing :: babies and mamas sing at art beast and myself sound like a seal when i cough.
smelling :: eucalyptus in the steam room.
seeing :: two more teeth coming in on the top. our girl is growing up!
feeling :: decidedly more confident and like i got this thing. although this cough/cold thing has got to go.
wishing/hoping :: to kick this cold and feel better already.
What about you?
What are your senses this Saturday?
Looking back, how was your week?
Leave a comment and tell me all about it. I’d seriously love to hear about your week. Now’s not the time to be shy.
This weekly tradition inspired by Pink of Perfection’s Five Sense Friday.
Don’t forget to click the links!
A way to capture the spirit of each week…
{via}
tasting :: zen tea with my most favorite neighbor while my kid chased hers around the kitchen.
hearing :: science friday on wednesday. podcasts keep a new solo mama company.
smelling :: rain at the deserted playground.
seeing :: the gym three out of five days this week.
feeling :: delicate. we’re in a land of transition where it could all go horribly wrong in a moment. {see?}
wishing/hoping :: to find a place of peace and comfort in the transition.
A quote that really resonated this week:
The most difficult times for many of us are the ones we give ourselves. – Pema Chodron – When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times
What about you?
What are your senses this Saturday?
Looking back, how was your week?
Leave a comment and tell me all about it. I’d seriously love to hear about your week. Now’s not the time to be shy.
This weekly tradition inspired by Pink of Perfection’s Five Sense Friday.
Don’t forget to click the links!
“It’s not really about the horses, is it?”
No, no it’s not.
That’s the thing about this documentary about a boy horribly abused by his father who grows up to embody compassion, kindness and generosity of spirit. It’s not really about the horses. It’s about the resiliency of this man.
I sobbed my eyes out watching the documentary Buck.
Like some serious ugly-cry crying. Thank goodness for Netflix Watch Instantly – boy, this would have been much uglier in public.
What can I say? Kindness of this degree brings me to my knees.
We have a lot in common, me and this guy. Childhood harms that could have turned us into monsters {or at the very least really damaged people continuing the abuse} and yet we both have sought a path to change how the harsh world operates.
At one point, Buck says, “Horses are the mirrors to our souls.”
Not being a horse girl {though my eight year old self would have loved to have been} I would argue so are children. They hold up a mirror to all of our ugly places and unflattering traits, the ones the other adults in our lives rarely see because they are too caught up in hiding their own.
Children (and horses) just keep giving us lesson after lesson about kindness, compassion, generosity and living in the moment. In other words, the lessons we need to keep practicing until they become second nature.
So while on the surface this seems to be a horse movie, it really is about making a life worth living.
A way to capture the spirit of each week…
{photo credit: v3}
tasting :: biscotti from vanessa and a new freedom in the form of ruby sleeping in the car.
hearing :: the amazing classic rock play list in the weight room: wings, bon jovi, styx…
smelling :: magpie at lunchtime.
seeing :: ruby’s teeth breaking through and her amazing squinchy face {see above}.
feeling :: supported. thanks for all the comments on the co-sleeping post.
wishing/hoping :: to enjoy the last few days of jed’s parental leave.
What about you?
What are your senses this Saturday?
Looking back, how was your week?
Leave a comment and tell me all about it. I’d seriously love to hear about your week. Now’s not the time to be shy.
This weekly tradition inspired by Pink of Perfection’s Five Sense Friday.
Don’t forget to click the links!
Alternate post title: Quit effing telling me what I should and shouldn’t be doing with my kid.
Three months in and I’m already over people’s “helpful advice”.
Some advice for advice givers, just don’t.
Commiserating about being tired is welcome, but telling me things that start with “you should” or “you shouldn’t” or “don’t ever” isn’t welcome or helpful. What works for you and your family works for you. All kids, parents and families are different.
Including mine.
Recently someone asked me how I was and when I replied that I was exhausted because Ruby had been kicking me, hitting me and or bumping into me all night {while she was sound asleep}, the woman replied, “You shouldn’t be sleeping with your baby!”
My eyes stung with tears (from exhaustion and let’s be honest, being admonished). I said through clenched teeth – “Well, we are. It is our decision to continue bonding with our newly adopted baby throughout the night. We have made our decision about what works for our family right now and when you are parenting an adopted kid please let me know.”
In case you are wondering, I’m still pissed.
This comment implies I haven’t thought carefully about this (and every other) decision we’ve been making in regard to parenting Ruby. I have been weighing my loss of sleep and the rage that accompanies it (which is a whole other issue unrelated to Ruby) and wanting to make up for those nine and a half months she wasn’t with us {also see: the dark ages}.
I’ve agonized over the “cry it out” people telling me I could train her to self-soothe by letting her sob alone in her crib. Dude, I’m not going to do it. So stop telling me how well it worked for your kid.
Friends, I’m new at this parenting thing and Ruby is a special girl with lots of people interested in her well-being. In other words, we’re doing this thing kind of more publicly than I’m comfortable with. Usually I like having at least a basic handle on things before I share them with the world. That doesn’t work in parenting. It changes by the moment and so does what works for your family.
It’s a lot like yoga in that way. What works for your body in this moment is what is right for you. Who am I to tell you are wrong because it looks different than what I would do?
I’m working on finding my own voice as a parent. As a natural worrier and as someone prone to deep feelings of shame over being “wrong”, please be kind and thoughtful in your comments about what I “should” and “shouldn’t” be doing.
Nobody likes when you do that.
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So tell me, how do you handle unsolicited advice?
A way to capture the spirit of each week…
{via} – this is definitely *not* a picture of mine.
tasting :: pasta with roasted vegetables and green monster smoothies. {what is it about january that actually makes me eat fruit and veggies?}
hearing :: waves crashing on the beach.
smelling :: the ocean.
seeing :: grandma for lunch in the bay area and grandpa for lunch in sacramento.
feeling :: sleepy. girlfriend is teething and so we’re all a little bit cranky.
wishing/hoping :: for the patience to get through teething without too much damage.
What about you?
What are your senses this Saturday?
Looking back, how was your week?
Leave a comment and tell me all about it. I’d seriously love to hear about your week. Now’s not the time to be shy.
This weekly tradition inspired by Pink of Perfection’s Five Sense Friday.
Don’t forget to click the links!
{via}
Friends, December is over and I’m feeling all lovey toward the new year so decided to reflect a bit on 2011. Plus I saw these questions answered on Nothing But Bonfires and felt inspired.
What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?
I became a mama.
Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I did not. I think I am over resolutions at this point and have decided to try to add new habits as needed rather than trying (and failing again) to do a bunch of new things in January. Most years I am so well-behaved in January that I completely give up in February. The good news is I finally saw this pattern and can knock it off already.
Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes and we’ve been so busy learning how to be parents we haven’t met him yet.
Did anyone close to you die?
No, thankfully.
What countries did you visit?
Taiwan! In the US we spent a bunch of time in the Bay Area this summer and we were lucky to spend some vacation time in Jenner on the coast.
What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
My ability to concentrate diminished at an alarming rate, so if someone could share a bit of that I’d truly appreciate it.
What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
May 9th – we met Ruby on paper.
July 11th – we got first decree.
October 3rd – we met The Ru for the first time.
What was your biggest failure?
Managing my stress about the unknown.
Did you suffer illness or injury?
A minor cold or two – a minor miracle! Plus there was that time I ate a whole box of Joe Joe’s and had to stay in bed for a day because I poisoned myself with all that sugar.
What was the best thing you bought?
A tie between our Ergo baby carrier and the sound machine we use to help Ruby sleep.
Where did most of your money go?
Adoption. Oh my goodness. Expensive.
What did you get really excited about?
Besides, Ruby?
Old 97’s playing in Sacramento.
Twice!
What song will always remind you of 2011?
Why is this so hard? How about what did I listen to a lot in 2011?
Answer: Big Star
Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder? Thinner or fatter?Richer or poorer?
Happier.
Thinner. Only just.
Financially poorer. Although not nearly as much as I thought I would be thanks to the kindness of friends, family and even strangers.
Life richer.
What do you wish you’d done more of?
Chilled out. Trusted the process. Yoga. Slept soundly.
What do you wish you’d done less of?
Worry. Good god, the anxiety about becoming a parent almost killed me.
How did you spend Christmas?
Christmas Eve we went to the zoo with the rest of Sacramento, took naps and ate pork chops with stuffing.
Christmas Day we chilled at home and then walked to Tari’s for a cocktail. We capped the day off with a speaker phone chat with Grandma and Grandpa in Minnesota.
What was your favorite TV program?
We started watching Modern Family season 1 – a sitcom that is actually funny!
Dexter – have I ever mentioned how I wish I would have thought of this?
I love any kind of home staging show. Watching people pack up their stuff and clean until it sparkles almost inspires me to do the same.
What were your favorite books of the year?
Not going to lie: What to Expect The First Year, Good Night Gorilla, and Happiest Baby on the Block.
What was your favorite music from this year?
Try not to be surprised – Old 97’s Grand Theater Volume 1 and 2.
What were your favorite films of the year?
Midnight In Paris
What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Went to dinner with friends at Magpie and I turned 41.
What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Feeling more confident in becoming a parent.
How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
Are jeans and t-shirts a personal fashion concept?
What kept you sane?
Yoga and my wonderful friends.
Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.
Babies are only babies for a little while so chill out about moving at their pace for a while.
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Want to play along? Either answer here in the comments or do a post of your own and link back here. I can’t wait to hear about your 2011.
A way to capture the spirit of each week…
{via}
tasting :: pork fat sausage from lao kitchen and homemade marion berry smoothies.
hearing :: ruby chatter up a storm.
smelling :: clean laundry.
seeing :: baby’s dinner all over the front of me. twice in 30 minutes.
feeling :: like jenna was able to articulate some of my many complicated feelings about christmas.
wishing/hoping :: for a safe and fun new year’s eve.
What about you?
What are your senses this Saturday?
Looking back, how was your week?
Leave a comment and tell me all about it. I’d seriously love to hear about your week. Now’s not the time to be shy.
This weekly tradition inspired by Pink of Perfection’s Five Sense Friday.
Don’t forget to click the links!
A way to capture the spirit of each week…
{super ruby!}
tasting :: bbq’d pork sandwiches.
hearing :: baby laughing.
smelling :: new radio flyer wagon tires.
seeing :: our baby turn 1.
feeling :: all kinds! happy she’s home, sad we missed the first 9 months, glad we’ve decided to hold off on christmas until after her birthday. december babies get the short end of the stick. and so many more…
wishing/hoping :: everyone has a merry christmas.
What about you?
What are your senses this Saturday?
Looking back, how was your week?
Leave a comment and tell me all about it. I’d seriously love to hear about your week. Now’s not the time to be shy.
This weekly tradition inspired by Pink of Perfection’s Five Sense Friday.
Don’t forget to click the links!
Sarah Von from Yes and Yes published her Favorite Things à la Oprah and I was inspired. Not a gift guide, but rather a list of products that make her life better.
While you’re checking out Sarah’s list be sure to hop over to Jezebel’s Worth It feature and see more about products that work for them.
TGBTS’s Favorite Things
Dawn simulating alarm clock completely changed my relationship with morning. At $120 it is not cheap, but my first one lasted more than 10 years and made me a better person. Totally worth it if you ask me.
Hugger Mugger Standard Bolster – in Golden Leaf. Perfect for restorative yoga. This baby sits on my bed and gets used almost daily. Sometimes I use it to sit, sometimes to sleep, sometimes for a 30 minute Savasana. Another product that has changed my life. Again, a bit pricey at $82, but totally worth it.
Book light has become one of my use it everyday items. I’m not sure I can remember life without it. I got mine in the book section of my local Target for less than $8. No wonder why I am getting so much reading done while Ruby sleeps.
Aroma therapy rice bag I made by tossing in a pound of long grain rice, whole cloves, cardamom pods, cloves and cinnamon sticks into a pillow case and tying the end {I don’t sew and I’m fancy that way}. I microwave it for 3-5 minutes and use it as a bed warmer, sore back soother and all around comfort delivery system.
What are your can’t live without items?
A way to capture the spirit of each week…
{via}
tasting :: hot water, lemon and honey.
hearing :: baby coughing.
smelling :: not much – too congested.
seeing :: our social worker for a post placement visit.
feeling :: so much better today – thank goodness for hot baths, long naps and cold medicine!
wishing/hoping :: we all continue to get better and avoid any other viruses.
What about you?
What are your senses this Saturday?
Looking back, how was your week?
Leave a comment and tell me all about it. I’d seriously love to hear about your week. Now’s not the time to be shy.
This weekly tradition inspired by Pink of Perfection’s Five Sense Friday.
Don’t forget to click the links!
A way to capture the spirit of each week…
tasting :: acorn squash bread from stinky buddha.
hearing :: rhett miller play some of my favorites – new and old.
smelling :: burt’s bees baby shampoo.
seeing :: so many friends – i can really get used to this.
feeling :: thankful for the opportunity to create a holiday season of my choosing – thanks madeleine!
wishing/hoping :: i keep following my wellness prescription.
What about you?
What are your senses this Saturday?
Looking back, how was your week?
Leave a comment and tell me all about it. I’d seriously love to hear about your week. Now’s not the time to be shy.
This weekly tradition inspired by Pink of Perfection’s Five Sense Friday.
Don’t forget to click the links!
As part of my 43 Things Before 43, I am reading 43 books.
Here is the list as it stands now.
1. Battle Hymn of The Tiger Mother {finished November 2011} – I read this book in 3 days with a baby. Needless to say, I found it hard to put down.
I’m surprised because I didn’t think I would like it based on some of the talk on Twitter and book reviews. A lot of people clearly didn’t read the book and relied on pull quotes, when taken out of context, make the author sound like a crazy ogre.
What did I like about it?
Amy Chua is funny and quite direct in her approach both in parenting and in writing. I found her writing style to be engaging and easy to read. Plus she’s pretty self-reflective and sees her ways as extreme. At least she’s not fooling herself. Plus, she’s not asking you to raise your kids the Chinese way.
Would I want to be friends with her if I met her?
Maybe. She’s a bit intense, but I can be too. She is funny and self-reflective and truly only wants what is best for her kids. Although she may be a bit harsh for my taste. I probably would end up telling her that “thoughts are for inside” – rough translation: dude, stop being so harsh.
Do I agree with all of her methods?
Absolutely not. In some cases she just sounds cruel.
On the other hand, I do agree a lot of parents take the easy way out. Nothing is more frustrating as a teacher than to be the only one seemingly invested in a student’s success. Somethings take practice and practice isn’t always fun.
Truth be told, I may have been a bit of a “tiger teacher” my first few years. While my actions didn’t measure up to Chua’s, these were my students, not my own children. We both shared high expectations for our young people and in the process aren’t very popular.
This book is definitely NOT a parenting or child care book, but a memoir.
I definitely recommend reading this book. Please skip the reviews (except mine, of course) and read it for yourself.
Have you read Hymn of A Tiger Mother? What did you think?
Do you have any books you loved and think I should read?
I’ve always had trouble with the holidays. Even as a child, I wasn’t that enthusiastic about them. Yes, I liked the presents part and some of the traditions and routines, but given I am such a creature of comfort and regularity, they tended to take their toll on me.
The rich food made it hard to sleep.
All the people made it hard to sleep.
Are you noticing a theme here?
Generally the loss of routine care got lost in the excitement.
As an adult, I’ve tended to be quite ill during the holidays. Colds, flu, respiratory infections.
Too much stress?
Too much food?
Not enough self-care?
I’m not quite sure of the answer, but I’ve made changes the last couple years to make the month of December more enjoyable {or at least more tolerable}.
This year, I will live with intention to truly take care of myself.
Starting in December, I’m following Rosie’s lead and making myself a wellness prescription and claiming my care.
Specifically I will:
What would be on your prescription for wellness? How would you claim your care?
Day 1 – thankful for Ruby and adoption for making us a family.
Day 2 – thankful for Jed – best husband and father.
Day 3 – thankful for sometimes waking up before the baby.
Day 4 – thankful for books. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t read and watching Ruby play with hers is the best gift.
Day 5 – thankful for healthcare coverage for my entire family and a clean bill of health for all.
Day 6 – thankful for sweater dresses and boot socks.
Day 7 – so thankful for my It’s All Yoga family.
Day 8 – thankful for generous friends.
Day 9 – thankful for a union job and parental leave so we can be at home to bond with our baby without worrying about our jobs.
Day 10 – thankful for massage.
Day 11 – thankful for the people in the armed services and their dedicated service to this country.
Day 12 – thankful for social media because it keeps me in touch with the outside world.
Day 13 – thankful for year round farmer’s markets.
Day 14 – thankful for long, hot baths after the baby goes to sleep.
Day 15 – thankful for music that inspires me to sing out loud.
Day 16 – thankful for the restorative powers of showers.
Day 17 – thankful for uninterrupted sleep in a way I never dreamed possible.
Day 18 – thankful for daily account summaries from my bank which remind me I’m not completely broke.
Day 19 – thankful for warm cozy blankets for naps on cool days.
Day 20 – thankful for central heat (and air).
Day 21 – thankful for early morning walks with lovely friends.
Day 22 – thankful for all the blogs I read and the Google Reader to keep them organized.
Day 23 – thankful for my yoga props: bolster, eye bag, strap, blankets, mat.
Day 24 – thankful for Ruby’s birth family. Our family wouldn’t be complete without their generosity.
Day 25 – thankful for the middle path.
Day 26 – thankful for whole days with nothing planned.
Day 27 – thankful for free shipping.
Day 28 – thankful for our house cleaning fairies.
Day 29 – thankful for YOU, my readers.
Day 30 – thankful for It’s All Yoga for the Attitude of Gratitude inspiration.
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A special thank you to Amy Shearn over at The Oprah Life Life blog for the Attitude of Gratitude post.
Want to see where it all started?
What are you thankful for?
November is National Picture Book Month.
This bit of information just came my way, however I’ve been celebrating all month by reading to Ruby.
My new favorite picture book is one we got as a shower gift.
Written by Ole Risom with pictures by Richard Scarry. It was first published in 1963. I’m not sure how I missed this gem in my childhood, so I’m thrilled to read it {several times} daily.
Nicolas is the bunny in this sweet adventure through the seasons. The text is simple, yet lovely. The illustrations are what makes this book such a treasure. Each season is pictured perfectly and have provided us many an opportunity to talk about the changing seasons while we’re out on our daily walks.
If you are in need of a baby shower or toddler birthday gift, I highly recommend this book.
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If you could only bring one picture book on your desert island {oh, the horror!} – what book would you bring?
Want more information on National Picture Book Month?
In the spirit of not being such a holiday Scrooge for Ruby’s sake, I’ve decided we’re going to decorate our house for the winter holidays.
This is a huge step for us. The first year we were in our house we cut down and decorated Christmas tree with lights and bows and then never did it again because we always spend it with family out-of-town. Plus the whole undecorating part was so not fun.
This year is different – the Ru is home and since I’ve always felt the holidays were for kids, we’ve finally got a reason to decorate.
Enter the Life/Birthday List and I found the inspiration from my favorite hobby obsession Pinterest:
For tutorials on making this and other alternative “trees” – click the photo.
Here is my actual “tree” – I’m looking forward to seeing it lit up at night.
I’m so excited I am able to already cross something off my list. If you are interested in other ideas I have found for the home – check out my list on Pinterest.
Are you all inspiration (like me) or do you make time to be creative and actually make things?
A way to capture the spirit of each week…
tasting :: dairy-free gravy! {thanks to jeddy’s mom for making my favorite part of thanksgiving edible}.
hearing :: ruby gibber – i do believe my girl is saying something like thank you. and it might be the cutest sound ever {well, since she starting saying mama}.
smelling :: honeysuckle and bitter orange candles.
seeing :: my oldest friends – so much love.
feeling :: at peace – good lord, daily exercise is a good thing. {please keep reminding me of this},
wishing/hoping :: i remember to keep paying attention {and taking pictures of} all the little tiny details of our life with ruby.
What about you?
What are your senses this Saturday?
Looking back, how was your week?
Leave a comment and tell me all about it. I’d seriously love to hear about your week. Now’s not the time to be shy.
This weekly tradition inspired by Pink of Perfection’s Five Sense Friday.
Don’t forget to click the links!
That is the question.
Are you someone who is so thrilled by the hunt of a bargain you are willing to face the crowds on the busiest shopping day of the year?
Or are you someone who beleives the world is driven into ruin by overconsumption and would rather not risk life and limb for a new electronic gadget?
I can’t help but wonder if there is a middle category of people. Like the ones who love a bargain {on stuff they really want/need} AND can not be bothered to shop pretty much ever?
If that third category exists I think I’m in it.
I’m pretty sure you’d have to put a gun to my head to shop on Black Friday.
Miss Minimalist offers some suggestions for a White Friday instead.
Parenthacks offers suggestions for Clutter-free Gifts and How To Shorten Your Holiday Gift List
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So tell me – how do you handle your holiday shopping?
Teacher Goes Back to School 