7 Quick Takes Friday

Conversion Diary

(1)

I couldn't be happier that it is Friday. My students have been singing the "it's Friday" song all week. They heard part of a song on the radio that includes the words "it's Friday" over and over again. I generally allow them to sing it when they are on their way out of the building on Friday's. The best part of this Friday at work was that we held a dress down day as a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. One of our fellow faculty members is fighting Breast Cancer and we will be walking in her honor on Oct. 16th. 

(2) 

I am so excited that the Fall weather finally arrived last night as a result of lots of rain, thunder, and lightning. I can't wait to break out the sweaters and corduroy pants. I love being snuggled up under warm blankets and enjoying a Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks (guilty pleasure)! 

(3) 

The hubby is headed home from work and I think I'm going to make some chicken parmesan for dinner. It has always been one of his favorite meals and I don't make it too often but, I have the energy and the ingredients so he's in luck! 

(4) 

Last night we watched Big Bang Theory and I couldn't believe my eyes when Blossom showed up on the screen. At first I only recognized her voice but, then I did a Google search and was shocked to find out that she is a regular on that show. Not to mention she is one academically accomplished lady! You should check out here wikipedia page! 

(5) 

I'm hoping to be able to help my dad plant the daffodil bulbs for next Spring tomorrow but, due to circumstance beyond our control that may not be able to happen. Please pray that justice is done and ethics prevail.

(6)

Sunday I will be celebrating a milestone in a beautiful friend of mine's life. I will certainly share more after the event but, it is a surprise! I know she doesn't read my blog but still I wouldn't want to be the one that ruins it! 

(7)

I am beginning to make my Fall bucket list: 

-pick apples 

-go to Westchester to see the leaves change

-bake a pumpkin pie 

-bake an apple pie/apple brown betty 

Shopping for a church

The hubby and I have been married for a little over a year (one year and two months to be exact) but, we haven't registered at a church. We attend church every Sunday at the same parish and have not registered. Some of the issue with registering is that the rectory is only open limited hours and when they are open late I feel badly disturbing them at night. The hubby really thinks that we should go and register together. (I know registering as a family for the first time is kind of important but, I'm not sure it makes sense to keep putting it off until we are both available at a time that is acceptable to the church.) I really just want to register and be officially part of our parish. Prior to being married, I had been part of the same parish since I was three. Does registering really make that big of a difference? No, you get envelopes but, on the other hand you are no longer an anonymous participant who shows up on Sunday. Oh well, just something I was thinking about today as another Sunday is approaching. Happy Friday Eve All!

Happy 7 Years !

Today my hubby and I are celebrating seven years since we started dating! It's hard to believe it's been that long! I can't believe it will be 10 years since we met in March! Crazy how time flying when you're having fun!

It's amazing what you miss...

We've kind of fallen off the face of the earth with regard to our friendships during the past few months. We travelled a lot this summer (Cali, MD, Mass.). Now, we are both back at work. I cannot believe how I've fallen out of touch with friends. I didn't really occur to me until my MOH kept referring to how she was able to see me twice in one week!

We love our friends and they are as important to us as our family. Since I started back at work, I've been completely exhausted by teaching 8 periods a day every other day. This year is like being a first year teacher all over again because I am teaching three new academic classes and running classroom guidance for three grades. It is so much planning and there is just no time to get it done during the school day. So, I come home from work, work until dinner, and then go to bed. This pretty much repeats until the weekend. Weekends are filled with visiting family or visits from family and attempting to keep our modest two bedroom apartment clean.

Frequently, I think that while I would love to live in a house I have no idea how I would be able to keep in clean while working. As it is, the hubby and I split up chores and clean together but, needless to say it feels like I am fighting a losing battle.

As a result, I am grateful for the forgiveness of our visitors when they arrive and our home is not "just so".  Believe me, I try but, this is as good as it's going to get for now. This weekend we were thrilled to visit with our MOH. We had fun simply running errands and sharing a meal. It was great to catch up! As a result of our visit, I know I will be making more of a concerted effort to check in with friends regularly. I don't want to lose our friends because of the massive amount of time both of us spend at work.

On the other side

I am cautiously declaring that I am on the other side of the plague that my students have had over the past few weeks. This is the ongoing list of illness: strep, pink eye, stomach virus, and chicken pox. Knock on wood, I've only had two of the three.

I was disappointed to miss the 50th jubilee of our friend this weekend and could not enjoy my in laws visit as, I spent the weekend in bed at my parents house so I didn't infect anyone. This coming weekend we have a 30th birthday party for a friend and I might have to go into work to help out a friend. Our Concert Choir is attempting to participate in the World Choir Games in Ohio this summer. As a result, they have to do a lot of fundraising. Unfortunately, their director is undergoing chemotherapy treatments and her energy is zapped so, most likely I'll be headed to supervise the kids fundraising efforts this weekend during the alumni reunion.

I was so grateful for our families providing us with food for the week because this means that I don't have to go grocery shopping. One less thing for me to worry about! Now, i just have to find the motivation to cook something. We've been eating leftovers for the past two days but, we are finally out. We have lots of food I just have to decide what we want to eat for dinner but, the good news is I have an hour before the hubby comes home.

I am also grateful for my energetic students who are excited about learning. My middle schoolers come in everyday excited to see what "they will get to do" during the day. Without their energy, there is no way I would have been able to get through the last few days.  They are my fuel at the moment!

Hopefully the hubby and I will get a chance to enjoy some of the beautiful Fall weather we've been having! This is my favorite time of the year!

Fantastic Students and Fantastic Germs

So, I thought this week would be my first full week of school until last night. Last night, I ended up at the doctor for the second time this week. Two days ago I was diagnosed with Strep Throat and last night I was diagnosed with Pink Eye! Yay for me! My in laws came in this week (until Monday) to go to a friend of ours Golden Jubilee with Maryknoll. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like I'll be able to go since I look like something that crawled out of the Gowanus Canal. The good news is at least the Strep Throat has started to go away so, I am less miserable. I am headed to my mom's later today so, I don't get the hubby and my in laws sick. (Thanks mommy!) There's nothing like having your mother take care of you when you aren't feeling well.


In other news, I can officially say that I LOVE LOVE LOVE my middle school students! They are so smart and LOVE to learn! It is wonderful. (The only downside seems to be they come complete with germs.) Each student had to bring in Purel and Clorox wipes. Unfortunately, despite my love of Clorox it didn't seem to work on these super duper germs. I clean my house with Vinegar and baking soda. Maybe I should bring some to school?

What is really weird about the Strep throat/pink eye combo is that I am not the only person I know right now in this situation. Another woman that's friends with my mom has it and a coworker's son has it. It's really crazy! Of course, my mother is claiming this is the beginning of an epidemic.

Off to go take some more medicine and rest until I head to mommy's house!

Ten Years Later

Ten years ago, the hubby and I were three weeks into our first year at the University of Scranton. I had never been away from home before and I had never wanted to go home more than I did that day. When I left my small town on Long Island, all was well. Everyone was getting ready to go back to school. On 9/11/2001, our neighborhood was changed forever. In the days that followed, I received e-mails from my mother about who had passed away and who was still missing. Our little chapel was full to the brim.

In the weeks that followed, church attendance dwindled and life returned to the new normal that was post 9/11. The hubby and I are trying to have a quiet weekend together with my family on the island. Yesterday, we walked to church so, we could enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. Today, we got our egg sandwiches and newspaper from the American Deli. We are enjoying time together. We are grateful to be here with those we love.

At church yesterday, the priest's sermon was about forgiveness. We must forgive those around us. I felt that this was an incredibly appropriate sermon for this weekend. This is an enormous challenge. How can we forgive those who killed so many people? But, we must. We are told to forgive those who trespass against us so, that we can be forgiven.

The First Day of School

Today is the first day of school for my students. They will only come in to get their textbooks and listen to a refresher course on the rules. The middle school kids will come in, in the evening with their parents to get their textbooks, meet their teachers, and learn some of the rules. The Freshmen go on retreat off campus for the day. Last year, I led the retreat with a friend of mine and we had a great time. I hope both the leaders and the kids have a fantastic day this year!

I love the first days of school because everyone is excited to see what the year has in store. Everything is new and clean. The kids are anxious to use their new school supplies. They are geared up to learn. It's a wonderful time of the year.

It's like Christmas for teachers. There are all kinds of sales in teacher stores. Sales popping up everywhere! A friend of mine was so excited that she was able to make it in and out of a local teacher store in less than an hour spending less than her budgeted amount of money. The parking lots of the these store are packed! Despite the craziness, there is a buzz in the air! Everyone is feeding off of the energy. I just love it!

In You've Got Mail, Tom Hanks says, "Don't you love New York in the fall? It makes me wanna buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils." Isn't that such a sweet idea? I'm thinking about making something like that for my classroom this first week of school. 

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Menu Planning Monday

Monday: Dinner @ My parents house
Tuesday: Vegetarian Chili, Corn Bread and Brown Rice (Meal Ministry)
Wednesday: Leftovers
Thursday: Roast Pork w/ carrots
Friday: Chicken and Broccoli w/ brown rice
Saturday: Spaghetti w/ meatballs and sausage
Sunday: Dinner @ My parents house

If you need more menu planning ideas, check out I'm an Organizing Junkie - tons of great menus are posted each week for Menu Planning Monday!

Poconos

This weekend our friends Jenn and Tim invited us to spent a night with them in Albrightsville, PA. They rented a beautiful house in a development with a lake. We saw some changing leaves and deer! The best thing about our visit was that we finally got to meet their beautiful daughter, Emma. The hubby and I really enjoyed spending  time with them. Thanks guys!