New Beginnings

I too fall victim to the New Year's Resolution game, but always lose. Can't seem to keep what I hope to keep. Maybe it's because I don't think of January 1st as much of new beginnings as I do Easter.

Sunrise service this morning was special. Just one year ago we were outside the crosses of the church being built on West Road. Today it was too windy to be out by the crosses, so we sat inside the education building as it's being constructed. Normally, 2-3 rows (just youth parents) were filled. Today was an entirely different story--they just kept bringing out chairs (brown and pink plastic ones--now that's another trip down memory lane!)

When we got home from church, I FINISHED a book I was reading, FINISHED laundry, STARTED AND FINISHED ironing, and FINISHED cleaning my half of the office. (Somehow, Ky has the bigger half to still clean...) With everything FINISHED, it's time to now BEGIN.

Begin what?
*finalizing graduation plans
*helping Ky plan her birthday with 4 amazing friends
*walking twice a day
*balancing writing with reading
*making summer plans

What are your beginnings?

100 Things About Me as a Reader

(OK, you can keep reading. I'm not going to make a list of 100 things!)

Last weekend I went to some training in San Antonio that was simply amazing! It ranks right up there with NYC Teachers College Training. One session I attended asked us to begin a list of "100 Things About Me as a Reader." I'm going to try to get my list to 100 by the end of the summer, but for now, I thought I'd share my first 10:

1. I enjoy reading now more as an adult than I did as a child.
2. I had 2 favorite series as a child: Nancy Drew and Little House on the Prairie.
3. I do NOT like fantasy reading.
4. I enjoy realistic fiction, mystery, and Christian fiction.
5. Although I enjoy professional reading, it gives me "busy brain" and it's hard for me to do when I need to unwind!
6. I can read for pleasure anywhere!
7. When I'm "reading to learn" I have to read in a quiet place.
8. I LOVE reading on my NOOK! I was really hesitant about it, but I thoroughly enjoy it. I can always have a book, never have to wait more than 2 minutes to have a new one!
9. My books "in waiting" list seems to constantly grow!
10. I will write in professional books, but not "for fun" books.

What are your top 10 things about you as a reader?

Seriously, It's Been 2 Weeks?

So, what have I been doing, as I can't believe March 28 was the last time I blogged!

1. staff development
2. baseball, baseball, baseball, baseball
3. water polo, water polo, water polo, but now no more
4. cleaning house for Gene's visit--he arrived this afternoon
5. still trying to find quick meals for all our ballgames
6. reading!
7. baseball, baseball, baseball, baseball
8. San Antonio for 2 of the best professional workshops I've ever attended, although training in NYC was still my all-time favorite that really challenged my thinking and gave me the most professional growth
9. exploring new blogs
10. Did I mention BASEBALL???