Achievement: confirmed with all the career fair presenters.
Respect: message from Seth that a birthday gift is on its way to me!
Fun: played truth or dare and ended up with pink and green marker colored fingernails.
Freedom: thinking of all the possibilities for my 3 day weekend...

ARFF journal

It's been a while since I've posted and so I want to look back on the past few months and record some of the highlights.

Achievement:knitted scarves and mittens and wristers, sewed a set of placemats, sent out Christmas cards BEFORE Christmas, made a two day trip across the prairie in the middle of winter, lined up presenters for career day, started support groups, made it to the top of chair#2 and back down the mountain in one piece, survived an MRI, and braved acupuncture.

Respect: spent time with much loved family and friends, got an iTunes song and flowers and chocolate from my valentine, received lots of helpful feedback from student focus groups, sweet cards and notes from students.

Fun: exploring new trails and snowshoe treks, walking on Austin Lake, waking up in a cabin in the north woods of Wisconsin on Christmas morning, ringing in the new year with games, laughter, and fireworks.

Freedom: taking personal days to eat and ski and relax with family.

Thanksgiving in Seattle

Achievement: We were invited to the Hunt's home for the annual family feast. Shortly after arriving I wandered into the kitchen and asked if I could do something to help. The ladies all looked at me and with hope in their voices said, "Can you make gravy!?"
Well, I said I'd give it a try and with a pan full of drippings and a bit of flour/water thickener I made enough tasty gravy for 25 people and enough for left over hot turkey sandwiches. YUM!

Respect: Showing up unexpectedly and being greeted with open arms.

Fun: Morning walks to Starbucks in the Pacific Northwest rain.

Freedom: 20 hours in the car to read, knit, listen to tunes, and see the sites!

ARFF Surprise

For years I did NOT want to be in charge of student schedules. But I've been working on schedules all week and realize that is totally ARFF filling.

Achievement: Tons of work but I love it when its all done and it works for everybody.
Respect: Students see me as a resource, and don't panic when I call them out of class to work on their schedule.
Fun: It's like a puzzle.
Freedom: I get to help students make good choices.

So next week, when my desk is covered in paperwork and sticky notes and it's getting close to the deadline and I'm pulling my hair out in frustration, I will read this post and be glad I get to do schedules!

Universal agreements

Our MBI teams have agreed on four universal rules for behavior k-12. That seems like a big accomplishment to me. I like them and I think they will be fun to teach.
They are:
Be responsible
Be respectful
Be safe
Be a learner

My ARFF today

Achievement:
Helped a student learn to spell four words and use those four words to spell even more words.
Respect:
Enjoyed a nice long conversation with a student after school.
Fun:
Played a silly game with 5th grade girls.
Freedom:
Went for a walk/run through the woods and fallen leaves.

more lessons from yoga

Mr. Paulson and Mrs. Ahnert prove you're never too old for yoga!