Saturdays are Heaven!

New Friends

Ahhh...Saturdays~I love 'em!  Today I didn't even begin to stir until 8:30 a.m.  Bliss!  By 10:00 a.m., and only after two very large cups of coffee in bed, I actually left the confines of my warm covers and meandered into the living room for breakfast.  Breakfast that I didn't have to cook.  More bliss...I am truly spoiled!

Matt and I snuggled on the couch for over an hour, doing bills, blogging, tweeting, and reading.  He is reading Decision Points, by George W. Bush, and I am still reading Midwives, by Chris Bohjalian.  Anyway, it was about 12:30 when we had a glass of Champagne (people drink that for breakfast, right?), and then decided to take a long walk.  What a rough day so far :-)

We take our dogs, Jake and Artemis, on our walks.  They love it and there is something about seeing them so happy that flows over and brings us joy too.  The air was cool, but not uncomfortable, as we made our way down our country road.  We paused to say hello to some horses, stopping every now and again to snap a photo (Matt and I are both participating in the 365 Project). 

My Love & Walking Buddy

Jake & Artemis

I savor these walks.  Not only is it good exercise, but it's so good for the soul.  Matt and I have at least an hour of uninterrupted time to talk, or just be silent.  We often hold hands. We so enjoy this time together. 

Matt captures Arty exploring

As we reach our 1/2 way point (today we walked 6 miles), the air begins to bite a little more, and we can feel the approaching storm creeping closer.  It's amazing how precious the small things in life become.  Maybe this appreciation comes with age, or experience, or after heartache.  I don't know.  I do know that each day brings with it something to be thankful for.  Something to cherish.  Something to share.  I hope these things for you as well.

Divine!

People do drink Champagne at 12:30...right?  (Korbel Moscato Frizzante, 2010)

~Cab Lover

Ah-choooooo!

Well, the first week of January has come and gone.  Can you believe it?  School has had its ups and downs, but really, I have no complaints.  Well, maybe one.  Schools are a breeding ground for germs. I know this is not news to you, but still...yuck!  Each day on the way to the lounge for lunch I see two or three little kiddos laying on the nurse's bed.  Rosie cheeks, sniffles, coughs, and teary eyes.  It's a phenomenon, I think.  Really.  We can send a man to the moon, cure horrible diseases, send millions of gigabytes through wireless spaces~but, we cannot cure the common cold, or stop schools from becoming a cesspool for bacteria (or...make a coffee carafe that doesn't spill)!

Sure, we teach the little darlings to cover their mouths when they cough, throw away their used tissues, and wash their hands after using the restroom.  Really, though, we have no control.  Millions of tiny bacteria are collecting (and breeding) on door handles, pencil sharpeners and desktops.  So what does this mean to us teachers?  Well, we stock up on cold medicines, Kleenex, chicken noodle soup and hot tea (some of us may add a favorite libation or two).  And, we pray that we have enough sick days stored up for the cold winter months.

I've been lucky so far.  I made it to Friday with only a migraine.  I'm crossing my fingers that my commitment to exercise, my new regime of vitamins, and the fact that I actually got my flu shot this year, will keep the sicknesses at bay. 

Oh, don't forget the wine...I think that helps too (Korbel Cabernet, 2007).

Stay healthy,

~Cab Lover

In Vino Veritas

Ok, so some have asked why my blog is titled, 'Why Teachers Drink Wine'...?  If you are a teacher you undoubtedly have your own reason (or vice).  I tried to come up with something really clever to say, but I couldn't.  In reality, I drink wine for many different reasons, and those reasons vary depending on the day I have had!  That said, I decided that there may be occasions that lend themselves particularly well to helping answer the question posed by my blog title.

My husband, who always has my back, shared the perfect phrase with me last night:  In Vino Veritas.  He wouldn't tell me what it meant, but I did know, of course (as any serious wine drinker should), that Vino means wine.  And I love wine.  So, I looked it up.  In Vino Veritas~In wine there is truth.  Perfect!  I love it!  It's my new motto!

In the spirit of In Vino Veritas, I am posting a link that, in some small way, on at least three nights during the school year, answers the question: Why teachers drink wine.

Enjoy!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUEuoV9ZzpI

In Vino Veritas (Korbel Cabernet, 2007...2 glasses)!

~Cab Lover

Blessings

Precious Moments

The halls were filled with shrieks and giggles today as the kids returned from their two week break.  Most often, for me at least, these first days back from a much needed hiatus are met with a weary attitude.  At least we had yesterday without the little ones...you know, to gently awaken from our break induced comas and consume enough coffee to see us through the rest of the week.  I have to confess that I was almost late this morning because I HAD to stop by Starbucks for a Venti Bold Pick of the Day...with room.

I find it odd though, that every year I'm glad to see the kids. It's impossible not to smile and get excited when their bright little faces light up when they see me...they too, are eager to dive back into learning.  What a blessing!  In just a few short minutes, I am fully awake and gently sliding back into the groove.

Don't get me wrong.  It would be a bold faced lie to say that I don't enjoy EVERY LAST MINUTE of break, and I wouldn't be upset if it happened to be longer.  But I do know this; I am fortunate to have a career that challenges me everyday, brings me joy, forces me to take risks, provides opportunities to celebrate even the tiniest victories, and, allows me to work with such precious children and amazing coworkers.

I am blessed!

And to celebrate (Robert Mondavi Cabernet, 2007)

~Cab Lover

Mi Locura Amigas!

Some days are just like that...

Today was the first day back from Christmas break.  No kids today, which was nice.  It was, however, one of those days where you have so much to do that you don't get anything done.  I made copies, got my books ready for my Reading Recovery kids, filed miscellaneous papers...so I was busy, but at the end of the day I just didn't feel as though I accomplished much.  Why is that?  One of life's questions without an answer I suppose.

After school I met my husband at the gym.  I was frustrated from my lack (real or perceived) of productivity and eager to take it out on the elliptical.  It didn't happen.  Ten minutes into my 45 minute workout I was hurting.  My legs burned and I was gasping for air.  I pushed through and finished my workout, but it was not easy.  My day was not turning out so great. I left the gym feeling dejected and ready for bed!

We live an hour from school and the gym, so I had a long drive to put things back into perspective.  Matt and I carpool, so I was lucky enough to lay my head back and gaze out at the stars and unwind.  I thought about my day, and really, it was not so bad.  Last night I made cookies and granola bars to bring to my teacher friends as a welcome back.  They were grateful (and raved about the granola) and it was so nice to sit for a few moments in the teacher's lounge and share our stories from Christmas break. Later I went to lunch with a coworker and we had a nice chat.  This afternoon, when sorting through a stack of long-forgotten papers,  I came across a poem one of my special education students had written for me and I pinned it up on the wall.  I re-read the Christmas cards I received before break that had somehow not made it home.  Hmmmm....

It turns out, it was a good day.  Sometimes work is not work at all.  Sometimes it is less about how many files you file, or how great your lesson plans are, and more about the connections you make and the relationships you build.

Tomorrow the kids come.  I am ready.  It's going to be a great day!

Tonight was a beer night (Heineken, from my kitchen Kegerator)!

~Cab Lover

Pleasantly Overwhelmed...

Well, we are only two days into the new year and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed.  But it's a good feeling!  Strange?  Maybe.  Over the last few days I have found myself really, and I mean REALLY, diving into multimedia, social media, visual media...you name it.  I have added many awesome Tweeps to my Twitter, bloggers to my blog, and friends to my Facebook.  I'm undertaking a new endeavor with the 365 Project, and have set several personal goals for 2011.  I have no idea when I'm going to find time to go to work!!

I'm so excited to see how all of this technology fits into and affects my life.  Already I can see that I will need to set some limits for myself, as I awoke today at 8:30 (ahhh...the pleasures of break), and I'm still lying in bed tweeting, blogging, searching, reading, contributing...

For two weeks (although if feels like much longer) I have played, learned, read, relaxed, photographed, and swam in the deep end.  At the risk of sounding kinda cheesy, I am proud of myself for broadening my horizons.  I truly am going into 2011 a renewed soul, and I'm thrilled!

Please join me, 'friend' me, and 'follow' me!

http://365project.org/marcimurray/365
Twitter:  @marcimurray

Toasting the New Year (Robert Mondavi Cabernet, 2007)
~Cab Lover