On the Home Stretch

I never thought this semester would end. Well, I have just two more classes to sit through--one today which is my favorite and one tomorrow which is, by far, my least favorite. Kinda ironic. I just have to do one take home final and have 3 in class finals next week and I am done. I could not be happier. I got a taste of my old life last week and I really cannot wait to get back to it.

On Our Disney Trip

So, I've been trying to figure out since Thursday night how to describe the experience of watching the kids march down Main Street. For days, words have been escaping me which is very unusual for me, especially when I am writing. Magical just does not seem to do it justice. The looks on their faces were, in a word, priceless. My child has grown up with all things Disney. I cannot begin to imagine how she must have felt being behind the scenes then marching down that street as a performer not a spectator. As a parent, I could not have been prouder. My mind still cannot seem to get wrapped around the experience.

On Meeting My Unrealistic Goals

Well, I finished ALL of the things I wanted to get done including my term paper. I really thought I had set very unrealistic goals but I pushed myself harder than I ever thought possible. I am so thrilled to be able to go to Disney tomorrow and RELAX. I will worry about finals when I get back. Because all of my writing assignments are done, I will only have a small amount of reading to do which I may do on the way down or back.

I must confess. I am having a hard time letting go of the stress. I know my brain needs a chance to adjust to the slower speed. I have always had a problem with this and know I always will. I think it still scares me that if I am not insanely busy I will get depressed. Even after all this time, I still do not know how to relax. I plan to work on that on this trip. My goal is to fully stay in the present.

On Just Relaxing With My Family

Last night, we went to The Melting Pot to finally celebrate the kids birthdays. We had a blast. There was no arguing or bickering. We had so much for just eating and talking and laughing for an incredible 90 minutes. I do not remember the last time we had that much time together having a good time. Boy, do I miss it. I am SO glad this semester is almost over. I miss my family. I only have one paper left to do. Really proud of how I pushed myself this week to get everything done. I am so looking forward to Disney next week. I do not get much time with Little Dude.

On Being Back in My Kitchen

It feels like it has been forever since I cooked a real meal. Well, old dude and little dude are sick, it is raining, and we ended up not going to church so I decided to cook. After all, I felt like I had to make up for Easter.

I fixed chicken fried steak from Paula Deen and what was supposed to be roasted broccoli and tomatos only I forgot to put the tomatos in. I am not sure what I did wrong with the CFS. The coating did not stick and the gravy was runny. I think the first was from using a nonstick pan. The only thing I can figure with the gravy staying runny is I didn't have enough flour even though I followed the recipe exactly. Oh well, it wasnt pretty but it tasted fantastic. The roasted broccoli was also good. It also had garlic, shallots and olive oil in it so it was really healthy. I was proud of chickie. She did try it, even put some (more like a lot) cheese on top but still didn't like it. Her and Bush now have something in common. Neither like broccoli.

No one understands what a stress reliever cooking is for me. I absolutely LOVE getting in the kitchen and playing with new (or not so new) recipes. It is one of the things that I miss the most about being in school full time. I simply do not have the time to do it. I was having a hard time concentrating earlier today on school work. I feel like now I may be able to tackle some of it tonight. At least get some more reading done.

On Group Conferences

I am trying to figure out why these make me so uncomfortable. I can't decide if I am intimidated or a little bit of a snob. I think it might be both.

I KNOW I am intimidated by the level of writing from these kids. Some of the stuff they put out just blows my mind. The insight they show at such a young age is amazing.

Then again, I have to admit that it bothers me a bit to have someone 15+ years younger than me criticizing my work.

It also is hard to hear that something I thought was fabulous is maybe not as good as I think. Then THAT makes me wonder what an over inflated ego I must have. From there, I enter self-doubt. Maybe I am not as good as I think. Maybe this whole book idea is just a pie in the sky idea.

No matter what, I am trying to look at these as a learning experience. I am trying to keep an open mind. They are teaching me how to use tact when commenting on other's work.