Today I am thankful for. . . RUBRICS!
This may sound silly (okay, I know it sounds silly), but I am thrilled to have rubrics to help me grade the papers that my students turn in. It is a difficult thing, grading students' papers, and I never thought it would be so difficult. They are just so subjective! However, rubrics keep me consistent, evaluating the same criteria for each paper. It makes my job much, MUCH faster.
I am also thankful that God blessed me with such a sweet husband who is willing to celebrate birthday week! Today, he surprised me with breakfast in the morning and a trip to get pretzels at Auntie Anne's after school. I almost ruined that surprise by trying to hitch a ride home with a neighbor/coworker/friend who was leaving earlier than Mr. V had planned. Guess it's a good thing that Mr. M had a meeting come up and he was ready to leave after Mr. V had finished his extra credit day.
It's shaping up to be a pretty special week! I love November!
Monday, November 7, 2011
Sunday, November 6, 2011
30 Days of Thanks 2011 - Day 6
Today, I am thankful for my new church family. They are truly just wonderful people. After a long search, I finally feel as though we are among people who love the Lord and want to live in true community with each other. With our hectic, crazy lives (not saying yours isn't, but I know for sure mine is), it can be hard to find time for people and I know I've felt a little lonely since moving out to "the country."
Today at church, they were excited when we came through the door! We've missed a few times since Mr. V's injury and surgery so it is nice to know we were missed, too. After the lesson was over, one of the women from our Growth Group (which we've missed since school started) came over to talk and ask how Mr. V is doing post-surgery. She even apologized for not swinging by to see us when he was in Week 1 of Recovery (apology not necessary). So sweet!
I am so thankful that the Lord has led us here!
And a secondary thanks, I have to say, is for Dawn's Power Clean. I never saw an advertisement for this but goodness gracious, it does an amazing job unsticking stuck on stuff. There is minimal scrubbing involved! This has made my life post-op (for Mr. V) a lot more palatable because it cuts in half the time it takes to do the dishes (normally Mr. V's chore). Love it! So thankful for it!
It's the little things (haven't I said that before?), people! Keep looking for them!
Mrs. V
Today at church, they were excited when we came through the door! We've missed a few times since Mr. V's injury and surgery so it is nice to know we were missed, too. After the lesson was over, one of the women from our Growth Group (which we've missed since school started) came over to talk and ask how Mr. V is doing post-surgery. She even apologized for not swinging by to see us when he was in Week 1 of Recovery (apology not necessary). So sweet!
I am so thankful that the Lord has led us here!
And a secondary thanks, I have to say, is for Dawn's Power Clean. I never saw an advertisement for this but goodness gracious, it does an amazing job unsticking stuck on stuff. There is minimal scrubbing involved! This has made my life post-op (for Mr. V) a lot more palatable because it cuts in half the time it takes to do the dishes (normally Mr. V's chore). Love it! So thankful for it!
It's the little things (haven't I said that before?), people! Keep looking for them!
Mrs. V
Saturday, November 5, 2011
30 Days of Thanks 2011 - Day 5
Today, I am thankful for my husband's recovery process. It is hard on him to not be able to bend over or run or lift things. It's not easy on me to have to pick up the napkin that fell off his lap at lunch, lift the logs into and out of the cart and into and out of the car, or do both ends of the laundry and the cooking (he folds and has dish duty normally). It isn't easy picking up the extra slack in my household when I have two stacks of essays to grade and make up work to check. But this week, he is able to drive short distances. I may let him drive to work this week (he seems pretty determined even though it's technically 5 minutes outside of his drive range). He is still off of house and yard work duty, but he ran all sorts of errands with me today - Hobby Lobby, Tuesday Morning, Party City, Target, and lunch at Pei Wei. He even went into Home Depot solo to get something light.
I can't wait for him to pick up his end of the chores again, for him to check the pizza to see if it is done correctly, and to get out of bed without groaning. But for now, I'm so thankful that the surgery was successful and that he is progressing toward a full recovery!
Mrs. V
I can't wait for him to pick up his end of the chores again, for him to check the pizza to see if it is done correctly, and to get out of bed without groaning. But for now, I'm so thankful that the surgery was successful and that he is progressing toward a full recovery!
Mrs. V
Friday, November 4, 2011
30 Days of Thanks 2011 - Day 4
Today, I am thankful that I have been fortunate enough to be at the right place at the right time.
Tonight, I went to the football game. It was the last game and I wanted to see my kids play/perform. Plus, I needed to keep an eye on Mr. V. He likes to push his limits - always has, always will - in spite of the fact that he just had back surgery a week ago.
During half-time, toward the very end, a student comes running up to me to let me know that a classmate is really upset but she has been told to go away. My students are my babies so I ran up the steps, through the stands, down the steps, and, upon seeing the kiddo in question, called out to her. When she turned, she didn't look like herself at all. Part of it was the braids she had in her hair for the football game but the other part of it was something wild. I gave her a big hug, because she had been crying and sometimes, you just need a hug. I reassured her that she's a junior and she'll perform again. That's when she told me that her bus had been slow and she had to take another one. That one took her to the school. But we weren't at the school. We were at the football stadium five-to-seven minutes away by car. She had walked all the way. I'm sorry, did I say walked? I meant run. She ran from the school to the stadium. It took her 45 minutes to an hour to get to us. And she had forgotten her coat.
And she hadn't had anything to eat since breakfast. Thankfully, the drill team sponsor came up and found us and offered to buy her food. She refused it, feeling a little ill. Everything so far worked out but I am so thankful that I could be there to give her the comforting hug that she needed at that moment. She clung on tight enough that I knew she has meant it these weeks I've known her when she has said that I'm like a parent to her.
I cannot tell you how often a kid at my school needs a parent to be there for them but doesn't have one who fits their needs (at that moment or at all). Being a teen is incredibly rough and some of my students have it hard. It is amazing the number of broken hearts God has sent my way this year. I am so thankful that he has chosen me to be His instrument, mending, comforting, encouraging. And I'm thankful that He gave me favor with the football people tonight because I'd otherwise have run off to Starbucks to do a bit of grading and I'd have missed out on being there for Miss T.
Keep on finding reasons to be thankful! It's only November 4th - we have miles to go before we sleep.
Mrs. V
Tonight, I went to the football game. It was the last game and I wanted to see my kids play/perform. Plus, I needed to keep an eye on Mr. V. He likes to push his limits - always has, always will - in spite of the fact that he just had back surgery a week ago.
During half-time, toward the very end, a student comes running up to me to let me know that a classmate is really upset but she has been told to go away. My students are my babies so I ran up the steps, through the stands, down the steps, and, upon seeing the kiddo in question, called out to her. When she turned, she didn't look like herself at all. Part of it was the braids she had in her hair for the football game but the other part of it was something wild. I gave her a big hug, because she had been crying and sometimes, you just need a hug. I reassured her that she's a junior and she'll perform again. That's when she told me that her bus had been slow and she had to take another one. That one took her to the school. But we weren't at the school. We were at the football stadium five-to-seven minutes away by car. She had walked all the way. I'm sorry, did I say walked? I meant run. She ran from the school to the stadium. It took her 45 minutes to an hour to get to us. And she had forgotten her coat.
And she hadn't had anything to eat since breakfast. Thankfully, the drill team sponsor came up and found us and offered to buy her food. She refused it, feeling a little ill. Everything so far worked out but I am so thankful that I could be there to give her the comforting hug that she needed at that moment. She clung on tight enough that I knew she has meant it these weeks I've known her when she has said that I'm like a parent to her.
I cannot tell you how often a kid at my school needs a parent to be there for them but doesn't have one who fits their needs (at that moment or at all). Being a teen is incredibly rough and some of my students have it hard. It is amazing the number of broken hearts God has sent my way this year. I am so thankful that he has chosen me to be His instrument, mending, comforting, encouraging. And I'm thankful that He gave me favor with the football people tonight because I'd otherwise have run off to Starbucks to do a bit of grading and I'd have missed out on being there for Miss T.
Keep on finding reasons to be thankful! It's only November 4th - we have miles to go before we sleep.
Mrs. V
Thursday, November 3, 2011
30 Days of Thanks 2011 - Day 3
Oh, the things that I could say today! It has definitely been a long one. A really, really long one. But I am still here and I think it may be an early night for me. Once I finally eat my delicious tacos, that is.
Today, I am thankful that I have a job. Sometimes it frustrates me and sometimes the days are incredibly stressful but I have a job to go to and coworkers that are supportive and understanding. That is not the case everywhere. I've experienced various work environments and know how bad things can get. Even on the days when I'd like to pull my hair out, I know I can look outside of my classroom and find someone who will make me smile.
It may be small, but it's incredibly important and I am so very thankful for the work that I am able to do, the people I work with, and the goals I work for.
Mrs. V
Today, I am thankful that I have a job. Sometimes it frustrates me and sometimes the days are incredibly stressful but I have a job to go to and coworkers that are supportive and understanding. That is not the case everywhere. I've experienced various work environments and know how bad things can get. Even on the days when I'd like to pull my hair out, I know I can look outside of my classroom and find someone who will make me smile.
It may be small, but it's incredibly important and I am so very thankful for the work that I am able to do, the people I work with, and the goals I work for.
Mrs. V
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
30 Days of Thanks 2011 - Day 2
Today, I am thankful for:
The pasta dishes that Mr. and Mrs. K brought us - delicious! - and the brownies. Oh, wow, the brownies!
The advice that Mrs. K, studying to be a physical therapist, gave to Mr. V about getting out of bed without bending, lifting, or twisting. We're going to have to try that tomorrow! She also told Mr. V that his meds were making him feel better than he actually is and he really should take it slow. I'm so incredibly thankful that she said that because it's exactly what I've been trying to tell him to little effect!
I'm thankful for Mr. M who came by to lift a very heavy (to me) old lawn mower out of my car and ended up able to help me carry in the new fire pit that arrived on our doorstep today, one day ahead of schedule. And I'm thankful for Mrs. M who lent me her husband for some heavy lifting work.
I'm thankful that Mr. and Mrs. R came by a day early to drop off dinner for tomorrow night. After two pasta dishes in a row, I had secretly been craving tacos. Imagine my surprise when they actually brought in all of the fixings for tacos! Amazing!
I'm thankful for (and excited about) the cold front that we're about to experience. And because the cold is coming, I'm thankful for Mr. R, plumber extraodinaire, fixing our fireplace so we have a nice, warm fire when it is chilly.
I'm thankful for my friend, Miss H, who is celebrating a birthday today. May it not be the last one you can enjoy, in spite of what some may say. I fully intend to celebrate and enjoy each year of my life because we never know when it may be our last. I wish for all of my friends to worry less about the number of years in our lives and be more concerned with the life in our years.
Happy November!
Mrs. V
The pasta dishes that Mr. and Mrs. K brought us - delicious! - and the brownies. Oh, wow, the brownies!
The advice that Mrs. K, studying to be a physical therapist, gave to Mr. V about getting out of bed without bending, lifting, or twisting. We're going to have to try that tomorrow! She also told Mr. V that his meds were making him feel better than he actually is and he really should take it slow. I'm so incredibly thankful that she said that because it's exactly what I've been trying to tell him to little effect!
I'm thankful for Mr. M who came by to lift a very heavy (to me) old lawn mower out of my car and ended up able to help me carry in the new fire pit that arrived on our doorstep today, one day ahead of schedule. And I'm thankful for Mrs. M who lent me her husband for some heavy lifting work.
I'm thankful that Mr. and Mrs. R came by a day early to drop off dinner for tomorrow night. After two pasta dishes in a row, I had secretly been craving tacos. Imagine my surprise when they actually brought in all of the fixings for tacos! Amazing!
I'm thankful for (and excited about) the cold front that we're about to experience. And because the cold is coming, I'm thankful for Mr. R, plumber extraodinaire, fixing our fireplace so we have a nice, warm fire when it is chilly.
I'm thankful for my friend, Miss H, who is celebrating a birthday today. May it not be the last one you can enjoy, in spite of what some may say. I fully intend to celebrate and enjoy each year of my life because we never know when it may be our last. I wish for all of my friends to worry less about the number of years in our lives and be more concerned with the life in our years.
Happy November!
Mrs. V
30 Days of Thanks 2011 - Day 1
It has been a couple of years since I first posted my 30 days of Thanks in honor of Thanksgiving. I have decided (albeit a bit late tonight) to go ahead with the project once more as I have tons to be thankful for.
For those of you who read my blog, my facebook, or just my face, you know that lately things have been a bit topsy turvy at the House of V. We're recovering from back surgery. Well, Mr. V is recovery from back surgery. I'm recovering from him having surgery AND trying to recover from his recovery (to be completed, I'm sure, within days of his completed recovery - and a spa treatment or two).
After Mr. V's surgery, he slept a little, ate a lot, and then lost his lunch. Well, dinner. He had just taken his pain pills and wanted to know if he could take more. I hadn't realized just how frazzled I was until I called Mr. T so I could talk to his wife, Dr. T. Dr. T had an early shift at the hospital the next morning but I didn't know it when I called. Mr. T handed the phone to his wife and I explained the situation. She broke the news to me - he would have to wait a bit longer, just until his next appropriate dose, to take his pain pills again to avoid the risk of overdose. She then handed the phone back to Mr. T and (I hope) went right back to sleep.
Having woken her up made me really upset. I felt awful for having woken her up on a Friday night to ask her about pain pills. I got choked up. Mr. T assured me it was fine, no worries on their end, but still I couldn't pull myself together. I hung up and sobbed softly. Which Mr. V found ridiculous. As did Dr. T (though she'd NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS SAY SO BECAUSE SHE IS AMAZINGLY SWEET) when she called to check up on the patient the next day.
So on Sunday, when a new church friend, Mrs. P, asked me if she could do anything, the only thing that has been in my head was "dinners." I told her dinners would be amazing when we went back to work because a) Mr. V isn't supposed to be at work yet but he is anyway; b) I am so far behind at work due to doctors' appointments and the surgery/recovery that it isn't even funny how much I have to catch up on; and c) Mr. V and I make up a team - I cook, he cleans. But he's relieved from household chore duty until further notice and I can't catch up and cook and clean. After tomorrow, I'm out of work clothes and I have to add laundry to my list of things to do. It just keeps piling on.
And it is so incredibly hard for me to ask for help when I need it. I have a stubborn pride that keeps me from reaching out for help even though I yearn to help others.
All this to say that I am so thankful for Mr. V's surgery going so well that he's regaining the ability to walk comfortably (not normally) bit by bit. I'm incredibly thankful that I have such a great friend in Mr. T and that he married an amazing, good hearted woman who has her MD and is used to calls in the middle of the night. And I'm so in awe of the servant hearts that are coming to take care of us this week. What abundant blessings I have!
Take care!
Mrs. V
For those of you who read my blog, my facebook, or just my face, you know that lately things have been a bit topsy turvy at the House of V. We're recovering from back surgery. Well, Mr. V is recovery from back surgery. I'm recovering from him having surgery AND trying to recover from his recovery (to be completed, I'm sure, within days of his completed recovery - and a spa treatment or two).
After Mr. V's surgery, he slept a little, ate a lot, and then lost his lunch. Well, dinner. He had just taken his pain pills and wanted to know if he could take more. I hadn't realized just how frazzled I was until I called Mr. T so I could talk to his wife, Dr. T. Dr. T had an early shift at the hospital the next morning but I didn't know it when I called. Mr. T handed the phone to his wife and I explained the situation. She broke the news to me - he would have to wait a bit longer, just until his next appropriate dose, to take his pain pills again to avoid the risk of overdose. She then handed the phone back to Mr. T and (I hope) went right back to sleep.
Having woken her up made me really upset. I felt awful for having woken her up on a Friday night to ask her about pain pills. I got choked up. Mr. T assured me it was fine, no worries on their end, but still I couldn't pull myself together. I hung up and sobbed softly. Which Mr. V found ridiculous. As did Dr. T (though she'd NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS SAY SO BECAUSE SHE IS AMAZINGLY SWEET) when she called to check up on the patient the next day.
So on Sunday, when a new church friend, Mrs. P, asked me if she could do anything, the only thing that has been in my head was "dinners." I told her dinners would be amazing when we went back to work because a) Mr. V isn't supposed to be at work yet but he is anyway; b) I am so far behind at work due to doctors' appointments and the surgery/recovery that it isn't even funny how much I have to catch up on; and c) Mr. V and I make up a team - I cook, he cleans. But he's relieved from household chore duty until further notice and I can't catch up and cook and clean. After tomorrow, I'm out of work clothes and I have to add laundry to my list of things to do. It just keeps piling on.
And it is so incredibly hard for me to ask for help when I need it. I have a stubborn pride that keeps me from reaching out for help even though I yearn to help others.
All this to say that I am so thankful for Mr. V's surgery going so well that he's regaining the ability to walk comfortably (not normally) bit by bit. I'm incredibly thankful that I have such a great friend in Mr. T and that he married an amazing, good hearted woman who has her MD and is used to calls in the middle of the night. And I'm so in awe of the servant hearts that are coming to take care of us this week. What abundant blessings I have!
Take care!
Mrs. V
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