Through the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

Paperwork, meetings, prep, teach, grade, care for, love. 
This is the list that my teaching career has taken shape to.  I will shamefully admit that is also the order that I place them in.  Until now...


I leave school spent everyday.  I am the 23 year old who goes to be at 9:00 on the dot every night, unless some unavoidable obligation is keeping me out at which time I buckle down, do the duty and get straight to bed when I get home.  Why is that?  Harry Wong, a motivational teacher speaker, might say it is because I am working harder than the kids.  It is their education and they need to be working harder than me.  That may be true, but being a "first year teacher" requires some extras.  I think the main reason is because most mornings along with deciding what to wear, I always put on a 20 pound weight around my neck that pulls me down.  I have been looking at this job as much more of a burden than a blessing.  I am wishing for May to come rather than savoring every moment of everyday that I have.  I look at what can I do in the next chapter of my life, rather than what am I meant to do here in this page of my life. 


People ask me how are things, how is the year going?  This week when I was asked that question by a friend I said, "I'm sick of being a Debbie downer or lying, how am I suppose to answer that question, you already know the answer."  The response to my plea for help, "Change the answer."  Of course my mind started going in circles, squares, and had flares of anger when that was mentioned as the solution.  But then I realized, that is the only solution.  Change the answer, Change your mind.  Everyday can give you a thousand reasons to be mad, sad, bitter, or anything else negative.  What makes you different is being the person that searches desperately for the one joy that everyone else seems to overlook. 


So I want to be different.  This shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone who knows me.  But I don't just want to be different to be different anymore.  I want to be different so people see the difference and want to be just like me.  The person who doesn't have anything bad to say, who lites up a room, who loves first rather than last in the list of to-do's.  Who is not selfish but rather selfless. 


They will know we are Christians by our love.  Public schools say that I am a teacher first and foremost when I am there.  I say I am a Christian everyday of my life first and foremost, I will preach often but only use words when necessary.
 
Love, Care For, be a Teacher.  I've removed the weight and the fog is lifted.  Next time you ask me how my school year is going be prepared, there will be a new answer.

Laughing is some good for the soul...and career.

Sorry for the hiatus.

There is more to come such as wedding fun, harvest and more ramblings from the life of a teacher.  To start you off here are two funny situations from this week. 

#1. Quote
" Mom said I should tell you we ran out of one of my meds, said it was important." Those are not the first words you want to come out of a student's mouth at 8 am. Ha No worries the day turned out fine the student just had a bit more energy than usual.

#2 Trying to reteach how to balancing checking accounts.  Ha It was so frustrating it was funny.  :)

I labored today, in a good way.

Happy Holiday!  This holiday, Labor Day, usually signifies the sad endings to summer.  This year I have a different outlook.  Instead of saying goodbye to a dear friend summer who has had a good run, I am welcoming with open arms, and windows, a the return of a best friend...FALL!  Wherever you may be in the world let me paint a picture of the beautiful central Iowa weather we are having.  The evenings drop down to the 40's with the daytime high of 70's.  The sun is shinning and a cool breeze floats in through the windows.  Ahhh...perfect.  This is my favorite time of year.  What other way to welcome this season in than baking!  There were some tentative plans made for today that seemed to fall through the cracks, so I made my own.  On the list for today.  Monster Munch (this new, souped up version of a common Autumn mixture, Brach's candy Autumn mix with roasted salted peanuts.) and a Pecan Pie Brownie.  These two dishes spell out FALL to me!  Let's begin.

In the Monster Munch you need:
1 bag of popcorn puff popcorn
1/2 c. recess pieces
1 c. roasted, lightly salted peanuts
1 c. candy corn
1 bag/ whole brick of white almond bark

Get the biggest bowl you own and pile in the ingredients. 

Next melt the almond bark according to the back of the package direction.  When it is melted pour into the bowl with the other ingredients and stir!  When the mixture is evenly coated spread out onto wax paper to cool. 

After it is cooled you will need to break it up a bit more.  Enjoy!  **Warning this stuff is good!  It gives you a stomach ache if you eat to much...you have been warned!

Next on the menu was Pecan Pie Brownies.  For some reason Pecan Pie and anything pumpkin screams fall to me.  However, who likes to slave over making a pie?  Not me, so this was a great recipe to find.

What you need:
1 box of fudge brownie mix made according to the back of the box.

Topping:
1/4 cup. butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 Tbsp. of flour
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 c. chopped pecans

In a sauce pan melt the butter.  After it is melted add the brown sugar, flour, and eggs.  Keep this on a medium heat and stir constantly for 5 min.  After 5 min. remove from heat and add the vanilla and chopped pecan. 

First make the topping and set it aside.  Make the brownie mix according to the package and pour into a 9 x !3 greased pan.  Pour the topping on top of the brownie mix and bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 min. 

It's that simple!  I cut back a lot on the chopped pecans and it is still very good!

After all was said and done I didn't even have all that many dishes to do.

Big bowl, little bowl, big pan, little pan and some measuring cups and spoon.  Clean up was a breeze.

 

Then came time to assemble. 

Yes, care packages.  You didn't think I was going to keep this stuff around the apartment did you?!?!  Please people, I have a wedding to attend in two weeks.  This would be the death of my beautiful dress! 

There you have it the recipe for a perfect Labor Day includes a few other simple recipes! 

By the way this 70 degree weather is much needed in a job that does not have AC.  The kids got out early on Thursday due to the heat.  Off to enjoy the last few hours of the long weekend then back to reality, but when reality is Fall it makes it a bit easier to handle.

Happy Fall!