11 Birthdays

I loved this book!

I started reading it last Thursday, when my students were doing some Super Bowl of Reading reading.  I pulled out my book so that they could see me reading also (I don't usually read when they are - I have too many other things to do!).  I really, totally meant to be a good teacher that day - but alas, it didn't happen.  Once I got a few pages into this book, I was totally hooked.  The kids and I ended up reading for about an hour - all the way from recess until lunch.  Oh well.  I'll be a good teacher another day.  (The kids, by the way, didn't mind - they've been making good progress on their reading goals at home, without a lot of reading time at school, and think that I'm "awesome" because I "let" them read all that time.  Hmmm...)

Amanda and Leo are best friends who share the same birthday, and who have combined birthday parties, up until their 11th, because of an overhead conversation on their 10th birthday.  Because of an enchantment placed on their great grandparents, both Amanda and Leo end up having their 11th birthday over and over until they get it right and the enchantment's requirements have been met.  It reminded me a lot of one of my and my family's favorite movies - Groundhog Day - and that's a good thing.  It was cleverly written and a quick read - because you get sucked in.  I found myself wondering what I'd do differently (or not) if I got stuck on a day and couldn't progress to the next day, and which day I'd want to live over, hopefully to improve the outcomes and attitudes of the events taking place on that day.  I'm still undecided - I'll let you know when I figure it out.

Loved it!  You will too!

Things I'd do if I had a week (or two) off from life...

1.  Sleep in.  I love sleeping.  I definitely don't get enough of it during a regular work week.  So, given a week off from life, I'd sleep in - just enough, not too much.  I hate the groggy feeling of sleeping too much - but sleeping until 7 or 8 o'clock would do me wonders.

2.  Organize.  I'm not organized by nature, I really have to work for what organization I have in my life as it is.  I have great organizational plans for my stuff, which would hopefully clear up some time in my regular life to do other things.  When I do get the organizational bug, I've just got to go until I'm finished.  And that, my friends, may take me a week, or more...

3.  Scrapbook.  After my organizing, I know that I'll be able to find all my paper, stickers, and other embellishments that I bought to use for certain events or layouts, and so I'd be able to get right down to the work of scrapbooking.  One of my best times scrapbooking was when I was a freshman in college, and it was my spring break.  I'd been to Europe the previous summer, and had pictures burning holes in their envelopes.  Early on Monday morning, I asked my dad to take me around to several scrapbook stores (remember Mac's?  I miss that place!), and got card stock, page protectors, stickers, and gel pens.  I spent the entire week scrapping all my pictures from that great European adventure.  It was one of my first ventures scrapbooking something on my own (my mom, sister and I usually scrapped together), and it was great!  Looking at that book now, it has very little in terms of style, layout, color scheme, and a lot of other things... but - it is done, and I love looking at it, and remembering the good time I had in Europe and scrapping that album.

4.  Read.  I've set a goal to read all the Utah Beehive book award nominees by the time they choose the winners in April.  I've done pretty good so far, but I'm not sure that I can keep up the pace.  (Thankfully, many of the books are picture books - woo!)  Plus, my students at school are involved in the 5h Grade Super Bowl of Reading, and have set goals to read 500 pages or more by the date of the actual football Super Bowl, so they have given me many recommendations.  One of my favorite things to do on a Saturday morning after I have slept in, is to lay in bed and read.  Sounds lovely.

5.  Craft.  Crochet, needlepoint, card making, slapping some paint on wood blocks and adding a little modge podge and paper.  Whatever.  I have so many projects to do.  I wouldn't need to leave my house for months, and I'd still have plenty to do.



Well, one of these days I'll get around to these great events.  Maybe.  More likely, I'll get to a few things at a time during the course of my regular life.  But, just in case a week frees up, you know where I'll be.

Sample 7: Custom (Cup) Cakes

My goal for promoting good will toward all at work this year is to remember everyone's birthday by baking them something special - and then share it with our team.

Karen - Pink Lemonade Cupcakes.  They were okay.  I think I need different lemon flavoring next time.  But definitely edible.  Not much to look at though, so no pic.

Ryan - RIP Cupcakes.  Ryan turned the big 3-0 this year and needed cupcakes to match.  We honored him by wearing black.  Can't wait to see what (if, more like it) is planned for me next year when I celebrate the 8th anniversary of my 22nd birthday.

Jami - Mini Cheesecakes.  One of Mom's great school recipes.  Yum.