Accountability 201 Checking: 2 Months down... One to go!

Today's check is a couple days late, but updated none-the-less!  This list has been therapeutic for me, as I have it to refer to (but not in my face daily), update as needed (adjusting and adding comments), and feel GOOD about in looking back monthly!  July was certainly a busy month, but with August upon me and September just around the corner, the pressure is on to get the job done!

I'm still working on the picture department, and eagerly awaiting my tutorial on pictures on the phone.  

How many of these can I get finished by September 1?

• Home
• Kitchen
• Clean and Organize Frig
• Finish shelves & stock pantry
• Organize under sink
• Organize cabinets
• Electric
• Faucet Replacement
• First Floor
• Paint Stair Risers and Trim 
• Organize Breezeway
• Ikea Shelving over back door (purchased, assembled, installed)
• Paint Breezeway?
• A Frame away
• AC Mounting boards (exterior)
• Clean Basement Stairs
• Garage
• Bed to Attic
• Table workbench
• Camp stuff on shelves
• Attic Stairs
• Wreath to Attic
• Second Floor
• Organize bathroom closet
• Hooks replace
• Repaint bathroom
• Towel Rods 
• Bathroom - shower head replaced
• Closet Curtains
• New shower curtain & rug
• Basement
• Furnace Cleaning (scheduled) 
• Closet
• Storage under stairs

• Yard
• Organic Veggie Garden
• Potato Condo & layers
• Lettuce
• Side Shade Garden
• Trellis (Pallets)
• Chicken Coop
• Fire Pit, chairs, dig out, sand, stone
• Rhododendrons Chopped Down

• Personal
• Doctor
• Mammogram (July 24)
• Pap - Aug 19 2pm
• Eyes (C - Aug 18 2pm)
• Kid Dentist- Aug 11 2pm & drop off x-rays
• Budget
• Annual Budget Update
• Monthly Budget
• Pay off One Credit Card
• Debt Snowball (+1000/mo)
• Sinking Fund ($2000)
• Read 5 Fiction Books
• The Mazerunner by James Dashner
• The Fifth Assassin by Brad Meltzer
• Book of Fate by Brad Meltzer
• The Scorch Trials by James Dashner 
• The Death Cure by James Dashner
• Sleeping Murder by Agatha Christie
• Dicey's Story by Stephen King
• The Kill Zone by James Dashner
• MS Summer Reading tba "The Iron Trial" by Holly Black & Cassandra Clare
• Read 3 Non-Fiction Books
• HS Summer Reading "The Other Wes Moore" info HERE
• 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

• Fitness
• Yoga
• Sunday 10:30 1
• Friday Happy Hour
• Boot Camp @ Tanya's
• When?
• 30 Day Challenge- Start Aug 1?
• Abs (need to catch up already!)
• Arms (ditto!)

• Office
• Organize File Cabinet
• Organize Manuals
• Shred Documents
• Legacy Box

• Upload
•  TpT
• Line of Best Fit Project
• Rule of Four
• #1 Drama problem
• #2 Fall Festival?
• #3 Field Trip
• #4 Science Fair T-shirts?
• Bundle
• DC POWs
• FACES foldable

• Worcester (AxiD Corporation):
• Furnace Cleaning  (Aug 14)
• Sprinkler Inspection (Aug 14)
• Alarm Inspection (Aug 14)
• Washer Service (Aug 14)
• Fire Extinguisher Inspection (Aug 14)
• Paperwork to Olivia for fall inspection

• Canning, Freezing & Household:
• Liquid Laundry Soap
• Liquid Fabric Softener
• Dishwasher Detergent
• Lemon Kool-Aid Mix
• Strawberry Jam The recipe is HERE
• Green Salsa
• Red Salsa
• Pickles
• Spaghetti Sauce
• Chili Sauce 
• Freezer Meals
• Print and Organize menus
• Shop & Labels
• Stock Freezer for winter
• Flash Freeze
• Kale
• Carrots 
• Peppers
• Potatoes (cook first?)

• Thirty-One:
• Fall Preview - June 12
• Book 3 parties summer
• Catalog July!
• CONFERENCE! (July 25-27) SUCH A GREAT TIME!  Check out more HERE
• Book 3 parties fall
• Book 3 vendor events
• RSS Done! Helps when you're doing some home organization!
• Budget (Jan - July)
• Better Together Event (Aug 20)

• Family
• NYC w/ Dad and boys (July 2) Info on the Intrepid Sea and Air Museum HERE
• ComicConn @ Mohegan (August 14-15)
• Hike
• Cape Cod (Early July)
• Tubing w/ Softball (weekend of August 1)
• Move parents to new their home! (Aug 10)
• Scouts:
• Camp
• Pack equipment
• Merit Badges
• Citizenship of the Nation - A (Gave to Counselor)
• Archery - C
• Digital Technology -A & C
• Sculpture -C
• Partials:  Graphic Design, Engineering, Scholarship, Lifesaving
• Boards of Review/Feast - a much needed distraction and a HUGE success!
• Merit Badge Counselor 
• Application to Mr. Roberts
• Fall - Pets, American Heritages
• Winter/Spring - Theater, Scholarship, Dog Care
• Spring - Communication, Gardening
• Summer - Reading, Geocaching
• Others - American Cultures, Cinematography
• Plan for Life Scout
• Set Time Goal (Jan 1?)
• 3 Merit Badges (First Aid, Citizen in Comm, Citizen in Nation, Citizen in World, Communication, Personal Fitness, Lifesaving, Environmental Science, Personal Management, Swimming, Camping, Family Life)  MBU-  two of these
• Leadership 6 mo as Star, teach using EDGE method.
• Plan for 2nd Class & First Class - get items signed off from camp
• set goal (Christmas?)
• Compass, Leave No Trace, First Aid

• School:
• Tutoring (through June 30th)
• Recertification (due in August)  DONE!!!!!
• IPDP completed w/ certificates 
• IPDP signed
• Recert application & $ sent to DOE
•  Yearbook
• Ladder & Timeline
• Training with Software 
• Financials from last year
• Summer School (July 13)
• Summer School (July 13)
• Week 1
• Week 2/ Midterms - complete Thursday afternoon or Fri Morning
• Week 3 (Sub Monday)
• Week 4
• Week 5
• Videos on SchoolTube
• Set up computer first!
• INB usage
• Distribution
• Algebra Tiles
• tba
• Geometry Plan
• Organize Notebooks in Binders and Label (Crate?)
• INB?  What will it look like?
• Year Calendar
• Algebra Review; set up in INB; review questions from book
• Math 8 Plan
• Pre-test MC
• Post-test MC/OR
• Vocab Tests MC or Matching
• Checklists (including bookmarks)
• HW Lists
• Study Helps
• Pictures of Current Work for samples (every chapter) - Ipad/Evernote
• Set Up Notes
• Photos of Examples
• Photos of Student Work in separate note with link
• Pictures/Links of Templates
• Vocab Examples too!
• WYLB for each chapter (color copy in plastic?)

Happy Summer!  And here's to accountability and accomplishments!

SUNDAY THOUGHTS: When was the last time...

Today's retrospective is embarrassing.  I stepped on a nail.  In flip-flops.  In my own yard.  Stupid.

But the worst part is that I can't even remember the last time I had a tetanus shot.  Seriously.  I have lists for my kids, immunizations, testing, prescriptions, appointments.  But not mine.  I don't even know if I got one since the booster when I was a teen.  Frustrating.

So needless to say, I had to trek to medExpress and succumb to the shot.  Yuck.  Not my favorite.  But since I had lots of time to wait... It got me thinking.  "Where are all my medical records?"

And to add to my multitude of lists for summer to-dos will be my own record of medical goodies.  To find them.  Get a copy from my Primary Care.  Figure out which ones need to be updated (hopefully not any; the only one I can think of is Whooping Cough, and that was just when there was an exposure at school... and the annual Flu shot).

I have heard talk of a credit card strip on health insurance cards that can be programmed with personal information.  On one hand, I'm a bit apprehensive of those, being someone who misplaces her wallet and has had a purse stolen.  I'm also a creature of papers organized in 3-ring binders.  Tangible.  Flippable.  And highlightable.  Something about digitizing items isn't concrete enough for me.  I like paper when it comes to my medical stuff.  Even the idea of micro-chipping people (like you can ID a dog) is floated out there.  Not sure about Big-Brother having that embedded in me... a bit to 1984 for me.

So my question to you is... when was the last time you saw your doctor?  Your dentist?  Had your eyes checked?  Got your medical paperwork in order?  Your Power of Attorney?  Living Will?  or just a Will?   Will it be added to your list of summer to-dos?  Is it a priority to you?  Or will you wait for you to step on a nail (or God-forbid a REAL emergency) to put that at the top of your list?

Have a great week!

Accountability 201: Checking in from the first 30 days

Here's the first progress report.  It's been a busy, but refreshing month.  Wrapping up school did take the majority of the time, but since mid-month, I've been able to crack down on items from this list to attempt to make some progress.

Bits and pieces of work, play, and rejuvenation, while balancing home, family, and responsibilities.  It's never an easy thing, but then, I don't really know how to slow down.

Next check in will be August 1.  And I promise I'll include some pictures to accompany some of these projects.  Silly, I know, but pictures DO say 1000 words... (now, if I can only get my camera to cooperate...)

How many of these can I get finished by September 1?

• Home
• Kitchen
• Clean and Organize Frig
• Finish shelves & stock pantry
• Organize under sink
• Organize cabinets
• Electric
• Faucet Replacement
• First Floor
• Paint Stair Risers and Trim 
• Organize Breezeway
• A Frame away
• AC Mounting boards (exterior)
• Basement Stairs
• Garage
• Bed to Attic
• Table workbench
• Camp stuff on shelves
• Attic Stairs
• Wreath to Attic
• Second Floor
• Organize bathroom closet
• Repaint bathroom
• Towel Rods 
• Closet Curtains
• New shower curtain & rug

• Yard
• Organic Veggie Garden
• Potato Condo & layers
• Lettuce
• Side Shade Garden
• Trellis (Pallets)
• Chicken Coop

• Personal
• Doctor
• Mammogram
• Pap
• Eyes 
• Kid Dentist
• Budget
• Annual Budget Update
• Monthly Budget
• Pay off One Credit Card
• Debt Snowball (+1000/mo)
• Sinking Fund ($2000)
• Read 5 Fiction Books
• The Mazerunner
• The Fifth Assassin by Brad Meltzer
• Book of Fate by Brad Meltzer
• HS Summer Reading tba
• MS Summer Reading tba
• Read 3 Non-Fiction Books
• 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
• tba
• tba

• Fitness
• Yoga
• Sunday 10:30
• Second Day?
• Boot Camp @ Tanya's
• When?
• 30 Day Challenge- Start July 1
• Abs (need to catch up already!)
• Arms (ditto!)

• Office
• Organize File Cabinet
• Organize Manuals
• Shred Documents
• Legacy Box

• Upload
•  TpT
• Line of Best Fit Project
• Rule of Four
• #1 Drama problem
• #2
• #3
• #4
• Bundle
• DC POWs
• FACES foldable

• Worcester (AxiD Corporation):
• Furnace Cleaning
• Sprinkler Inspection
• Alarm Inspection
• Washer Service
• Fire Extinguisher Inspection

• Canning, Freezing & Household:
• Liquid Laundry Soap
• Liquid Fabric Softener
• Dishwasher Detergent
• Lemon Kool-Aid Mix
• Strawberry Jam The recipe is HERE
• Green Salsa
• Red Salsa
• Pickles
• Spaghetti Sauce
• Chili Sauce 
• Freezer Meals
• Print and Organize menus
• Shop & Labels
• Stock Freezer for winter
• Flash Freeze
• Kale
• Carrots 
• Peppers
• Potatoes (cook first?)

• Thirty-One:
• Fall Preview - June 12
• Book 3 parties summer
• Catalog July!
• Book 3 parties fall
• Book 3 vendor events
• RSS
• Budget (Jan - July)
• Better Together Event (Aug)

• Family
• NYC w/ Dad and boys (July 2) Info on the Intrepid Sea and Air Museum HERE
• ComicConn @ Mohegan (August)
• Hike
• Beach (Early July)
• Tubing w/ Softball (August)
• Scouts:
• Camp
• Pack equipment
• Merit Badges
• Citizenship of the Nation - A
• Archery - A
• Boards of Review/Feast

• School:
• Tutoring (through June 30th)
• Recertification (due in August)
• IPDP completed w/ certificates IN PROGRESS
• IPDP signed
• Recert application & $ sent to DOE
•  Yearbook
• Ladder & Timeline
• Training with Software
• Summer School (July 13)
• Summer School (July 13)
• Gr 7
• Gr 8
• Videos on SchoolTube
• INB usage
• Distribution
• Algebra Tiles
• tba
• Geometry Plan
• INB
• Year Calendar
• Algebra Review (biweekly - 10-18 packets)
• Math 8 Plan
• Pre-test MC
• Post-test MC/OR
• Vocab Tests MC or Matching
• Checklists (including bookmarks)
• HW Lists
• Study Helps
• Pictures of Current Work for samples (every chapter)
• Vocab Examples too!
• WYLB

Happy Summer!  And here's to accountability and accomplishments!

SUNDAY THOUGHTS: Appreciation for 20 years in education

In recent weeks, it has become increasingly clear that my life would have taken a completely different turn had I not been a tenured teacher for the last 20 years.  A high school, bachelors, and master's diplomas as well as the ability to reinvent and rejuvenate my classroom have gotten me far.

Nothing could have prepared me for the stability and security of my job, as well as the rejuvenation and fresh start each school year allows.  Honestly, I don't know if I will be able to quite put my feelings and thoughts into words, but I definitely have an appreciation for my career, my colleagues, and my students for what they bring to me.

Financial Stability

In my previous marriage, by former husband lost his job several times.  Fortunately, with my stable job (with health benefits), our family was never in jeopardy.  I feel truly blessed that I could not only pay back college loans in 3 years but also complete my Master's degree prior to starting a family.   This certification requirement by our state was necessary in the first five years of employment, but also put me higher on the pay ladder in our district.  At the time, it was frustrating, but in the long run, it's been a blessing.

With my divorce from my former husband, I fortunately was able to keep not only my house, but also (roughly) the level of comfort our family was accustomed to.  This helped tremendously with the upheaval in my kids' lives in that they could still attend summer camp, scout events, and extra curricular activities as they navigated their new reality.  I would not have been able to do this without my stable job.  Hands down.

Parenting Security

With my career as a teacher, I was able to have two maternity leaves with an extended summer vacation, and return to my job with a new crop of students in the fall.  My colleagues were supportive and understanding when I had sleepless nights due to cranky kids (my teenage students, surprisingly also gave me a wide berth when I was honest with them).

Because I work in the town I also live in, and the school my kids attend, I also was able to be both involved in their school lives on field trips or special events, as well as give them space when they needed it (like NOT chaperone the overnight field-trip or chaperone the 8th grade semi-formal upon their request, much to the disappointment of the organizers).  Occasionally, gym sneakers or lunch money was left at home and it WASN'T retrieved.  Sometimes, a lesson to be learned, with tears, but resulted in more responsibility as the kids got older.  I sometimes wonder if there was another school in the district to be transferred to, would I?  I think that would have been a long pro/con list to weigh.

However, the best thing is that my kids also know, without me saying, that school IS important.  Work (home or class) is NON-NEGOTIABLE because school is your JOB.  We all make choices, and have to deal with the ramifications of those choices.  And you may not get along with everyone, but you have to make it work.  And, of course, I also take on the role of surrogate parent to all my students, and hope that THEY also can absorb some of these ideas during our time together.  Teaching also gave me LOTS of parenting practice with the adolescent age group.  Not that I'm perfect by any means, but I've already learned from the mistakes I've made with all the students that have come through my class... so maybe I won't make as many mistakes with my own kids.

Emotional Security

Because I have worked in the same district for my entire career, I have had the pleasure of working side-by-side with some of my colleagues for as much as twenty years.  I have attended bridal showers, baby showers, christenings, graduation parties, weddings, retirement parties, hospital rooms, court rooms, wakes, funerals... we have been around at our best and our worst.  Sometimes being just an open ear or just a shoulder to cry on.  A voice of reason or a devil's advocate.  And I have taken advantage of that when the roles have been reversed as well.  Some of my colleagues who work in other buildings I don't see as often, but when we do get together, it's as though we haven't been apart.  Old friends, often with a common goal - educating the kids we see every day.

I also know that students have impacted ME emotionally in many ways.  In the trying times during my divorce, my homeroom gave me a reason to come to work and often their innocence and enthusiasm changed my mood for the entire day.  The best part is that they had NO IDEA of the positive energy they gave me.  We often as teachers talk about how students thrive on stability, scheduling, and order.  And how vacations and the end of the school year is quite difficult for some to leave that consistency and safety.   I truly think it goes in both directions.  I also thrive on the enthusiasm and energy of a room full of teenagers, even when drama and angst raise its' head.  I wonder if that is the true fountain of youth - just simply being around that energy!

I am truly thankful for Mr. Sheridan, my first department chair.  Who hired me based on my firm handshake (Dad was right!) after a phone-call interview while I was working at a camp in West Virginia.  I remember that phone call too - I was standing in my bathing suit at the pool at the only pay phone at camp.  Good thing SKYPE didn't exist then.  Mr. Sheridan gave me the opportunity to take on a classroom as well as give me an enthusiastic model to follow.  He has since passed-away from Brain Cancer.  A loss to the education community, but a legacy that lives on.

Fresh Starts

Every fall, I get a new start with a new set of students.  My classroom gets to be reorganized.  Systems get to be reevaluated and put into place.  Old habits can be broken.  And what's nice about that is that the KIDS get that fresh start too.  Which of course is easier said then done, especially with teenage angst and personality development.

Regardless, I love the fact that, even though I've been at this for (YIPES) twenty years and still can find something fresh and new to improve upon.  Admittedly, my to-do list of revamps tends to be overwhelmingly large each summer, but the ideas that are there may take a while to come to fruition.

I am GRATEFUL

Regardless, as I consider where I have been and where I am going in the midpoint of my career - I am very thankful that I chose education as my path  I have been a part of thousands of children's lives and (hopefully) impacted their lives in some way.  I know I, and my colleagues, have learned and continue to grow from our students energy.  I can't see myself being anywhere else but in the classroom.  Let's see what the next twenty years brings!

Accountability 201: Round two for summertime to-do

June is here, and school is in the downhill slide (with a few roadblocks along the way, but we should make it unscathed).  That means it's time for my summer-time list of items that I ignore most of the school year, and have to get completed before the whole school year creeps up on me again.  Overwhelming?  A bit, but breaking it up into chunks and checklists actually helps me stay on top of them, accountable, and less risk of forgetting (which is happening more and more... and I definitely rely on my calendar and post-it notes!).









So this year, the list comes back out to get all the craziness out of my head and onto (electronic) paper.  I still have the sticky notes in my office, but since I'm actually spending LESS time there, and more out and about, this electronic version may be more appropriate this year.  Time will tell.



Last summer, my strategy of a TOP 5 list worked quite well.  It kept be on track and gave me a target.  Sometimes, it was less than 5, sometimes more, but it was a starting point, and I was able to make progress.  You can read my FIRST and LAST posts from last year here and here.


This year, I'm attempting what appears to be MUCH more.  It seems overwhelming, daunting, crazy; but that's my style.  Bite off more than I can chew to give me a lot to feel good about at the end.  (Who ever finishes their list anyway?)  I plan on rewarding myself along the way... and several of these are setting myself up for fall success in both school and business, so it's worth it.

Three months, and MUCH on my list.  Let's get this party started!

 
How many of these can I get finished by September 1?

• Home
• Kitchen
• Clean and Organize Frig
• Finish shelves & stock pantry
• Organize under sink
• Organize cabinets
• Electric
• Faucet
• First Floor
• Paint Stair Trim 
• Organize Breezeway
• A Frame away
• AC Mounting boards (exterior)
• Basement Stairs
• Garage
• Bed to Attic
• Table workbench
• Camp stuff on shelves
• Attic Stairs
• Second Floor
• Organize bathroom closet
• Paint bathroom
• Towel Rods 
• Closet Curtains

• Yard
• Organic Veggie Garden
• Potato Condo
• Side Shade Garden
• Trellis (Pallets)
• Chicken Coop

• Personal
• Doctor
• Mammogram
• Pap
• Eyes
• Budget
• Annual Budget Update
• Monthly Budget
• Pay off One Credit Card
• Debt Snowball (+600/mo)
• Sinking Fund ($2000)
• Read 5 Fiction Books
• tba
• tba
• tba
• HS Summer Reading tba
• MS Summer Reading tba
• Read 3 Non-Fiction Books
• 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
• tba
• tba

• Fitness
• Yoga
• Sunday 10:30
• Boot Camp @ Tanya's
• When?
• 30 Day Challenge
• Abs
• Arms

• Office
• Organize File Cabinet
• Organize Manuals
• Shred Documents
• Legacy Box

• Upload
•  TpT
• Line of Best Fit Project
• Rule of Four
• #1
• #2
• #3
• #4
• Bundle
• DC POWs

• Worcester (AxiD Corporation):
• Furnace Cleaning
• Sprinkler Inspection
• Alarm Inspection
• Washer Service
• Fire Extinguisher Inspection

• Canning, Freezing & Household:
• Liquid Laundry Soap
• Liquid Fabric Softener
• Dishwasher Detergent
• Lemon Kool-Aid Mix
• Green Salsa
• Red Salsa
• Pickles
• Spaghetti Sauce
• Chili Sauce 
• Freezer Meals
• Stock Freezer for winter
• Flash Freeze
• Kale
• Carrots 
• Peppers
• Potatoes (cook first?)

• Thirty-One:
• Fall Preview - June 12
• Book 3 parties summer
• Book 3 parties fall
• Book 3 vendor events
• RSS
• Budget (Jan - July)

• Family
• NYC w/ Dad and boys (late June/early July)
• Comic Conn @ Mohegan (August)
• Hike
• Beach
• Tubing w/ Softball
• 
  
• Scouts:
• Camp
• Pack equipment
• Merit Badges
• Citizenship of the Nation - A
• Archery - A
• Boards of Review/Feast

• School:
• Summer School
• Gr 7
• Gr 8
• Videos on SchoolTube
• INB usage
• Distribution
• Algebra Tiles
• tba
• Geometry Plan
• INB
• Year Calendar
• Algebra Review (biweekly - 10-18 packets)
• Math 8 Plan
• Pre-test MC
• Post-test MC/OR
• Vocab Tests MC or Matching
• Checklists (including bookmarks)
• HW Lists
• Study Helps
• Pictures of Current Work for samples (every chapter)
• Vocab Examples too!
• WYLB

Happy Summer!  And here's to accountability and accomplishments!

Financial Freedom in progress

February vacation week has arrived, amid yet another snowstorm, and it's time for me to check-in with many of my 'big-girl-life' items.  This week tends to be financial driven - taxes, budgets, and thinking forward about summer plans (usually because, like today, it's FREEZING and SNOWY outside and I'm getting cabin fever!) 


The good news is, I have already finished the taxes (and have allotted the refund into 3 categories).  The bad news is, I have gotten off the envelope system wagon and need to give myself a fresh start!

I also found this site that has some FUN visual aids (for visual people like me) to keep track of their Debt Free journey.  Looks like my printer and my colored pencils will be getting some action today!

I'm laying out the groundwork, getting back on track, and making a plan.  This WILL happen!

 Debt Free Charts

New Year's Resolutions - Round two

While the chaos of the holiday season has finally passed and the routine of school is back in full swing, I realized that I didn't sit down to formalize my goals for the new year.  I also didn't reflect back on last years' top 5 goals (You can read my post from 2014 in it's entirety HERE).

However, I think the same top five make their appearance in the 2015 list:

#1 Finances: this seems to be an annual goal, though each year the focus takes on some twists.  In 2014 I was able to purchase a truck and a van in cash, which was a huge goal, but in doing so, affected some of my other savings plans.  This year, the goal is simply to stick to the budget and make progress at specific intervals (monthly and quarterly seem like appropriate checkpoints).  I'm also hoping to set the goal of a family vacation in 2016, but beginning savings for that so we can pay for it in cash. 

#2 Manage my time better:  time vampires still rear their ugly heads, but checklists and timers are very helpful in managing the chaos.  I have always been a creature of crunch time, the busier I am, the more I can get done.  When I have 'lots of time', I tend to get sucked into non-productive things.  Even over this last vacation, I found that my time was lost on some things, though enjoyable, didn't help me get through my list (and others I ignored altogether).  This year, I'm going to stick to the schedule, the routine, and my sacred six items to get done each day.  The trickiest thing will be to truly prioritize those six items (oftentimes, there's six things just in one facet of my life!)

#3 Focus on Family: my boys are getting older, and it's thrilling to watch them develop their own personalities, interests, opinions (no matter how strong) and share their strengths with others.  I relish the opportunities to share in their adventures, whether it is through drama, scouts, school, or sports.  I still want to be able to spend quality time, one-on-one, with each.  As our schedules becoming increasingly full, that's usually in a car as we commute from one place to another, but taking advantage of any opportunity is key.  I also value technology so I can connect with my extended family (including nephews who live out of state).  I love the fact that we can stay an active part of their lives even though we live far apart.

#4 Clutter Control: I definitely get my organization (or lack of it) from my parents, who are products of depression-era parents.  I am slowly going through items that I claimed I can 'eventually use these' for projects or storage.  Even kid #2's room got an overhaul with a new bedroom set and we pulled EVERYTHING out for him to reevaluate before going back into his Fortress of Solitude.  Unfortunately, he's learning his skills from me (and I'm not exactly the best role model for this!).  This year, I'm going to complete a weekly 30 minute purge, picking an area and tackling it whole heartedly for 30 minutes (using a fill-the-box mentality).  Hoping that a small, regimented focus will result in big changes over time.

#5 Be Grateful:   Thank you goes a long way.  2014 was challenging, but supportive friends and family allow me to stay the course.  I continue to be grateful for health and everyday joys.  Thank you notes, appreciative post-its, and even the occasional chocolate surprise allows me to tell those around me how much I appreciate their efforts as well as their support.  And who doesn't like a chocolate surprise!

So as the winds howl and the ice forms outside, I curl up in front of the fire with my cup of cocoa and a few fuzzy pups.  These are moments that I appreciate that allow me to reflect, regroup and recharge for a new year full of new surprises, new adventures and new attitudes.

Until next time -