Maybe Not "Ho Ho’s…"
… but “ha ha’s” have brightened my day! I found the perfect gifts for me, myself and I at Anne Taintor’s product site, here. I first encountered her “vintage humor” a few years ago while on a shopping excursion with Shannon, and then again with Polly. I have some of her magnets on my fridge, and many notepads (I love giving them as gifts to the women in my life), and look forward to adding more/hoarding more of her paper products in the year to come! She has some great boxed card sets this year, and I found the perfect image for my upcoming birthday:
not to mention some ha-ha’s that I wish I had found before all of the Christmas presents had been mailed to friends and family:
And what would have me, Shannon and Polly rolling?
and
See, still promoting literacy and laughter!
Does My Horror-Scope Match Me?
So here’s what Jill M. Phillips has to say about people born on my birthdate:
December Birthday Astrology
December Capricorns have a great deal of emotional pluck. If plans fail, they simply start again. Because of their good attitude and ability to motivate others, they make excellent mentors. Although they may seem scatterbrained, they have great organizational abilities. Witty and intelligent, they are exceptionally verbal for people of their sign.
Capricorn Information for December
You should embrace:
Details, imagination, a personal agenda
You should avoid:
Stress, demoralization, indifference
Friends and Lovers
Because they have such a likable nature, December individuals make friends effortlessly but are unlikely to reveal confidences or ask for advice. Love is a permanent and practical factor in their lives. They value stability and do not usually seek separation or divorce unless there is no alternative.
Children and Family
December natives love the traditions of family and typically have happy memories of childhood. Though their upbringing is likely to have been strict, they look at this as positive. They are good parents who do everything to provide stability for their child. Though they promote fun, they are strict on discipline.
Health
People born on this date have a common-sense approach to good health. By not overdoing anything, they reap the rewards without losing out on the occasional need to indulge a bad habit. Health problems are typically minor, but problem skin is not unknown. If they make water their main beverage, the skin condition is likely to clear up.
Career and Finances
People born on this date are serious about career ambitions. They work hard, learn quickly, obey the rules, and they know that professional shortcuts can be deceptive. They often spend a great deal of money on home decorating, with an eye for antiques and other objets d’art that will increase in value.
Dreams and Goals
To climb to the top without fudging the rules is a common goal of December people. They know what they want and are willing to work hard to get it, no matter how hard that may be. They never blame setbacks on anyone but themselves. If a goal becomes impossible to fulfill, they replot the course.
Hmmm…… does it sound like moi?
Holiday Decor Voyeurism
Aptly named “Absolutely Beautiful Things” has hosted a Christmas Competition (now closed) for the last three weeks. Photos and stories have been shared from all over the world, so go take a peek:
A Storybook Life offers holiday tips for picking out the perfect Christmas tree and taking part in holiday events in your hometown.
Apparently it’s a very Diva Christmas at Selfridges in London (thanks to Paris Parfait for sharing her photographs!)
Anti-Yawn is passing out grades (hey, are you a teacher?) in the Ultimate Guide to Tacky Christmas Decorations, and though it’s a bit dated, it’s still a fun one to read.
If you’re maxxed out from the sparkle, glitter, sugar cookies and mistletoe, head over to Normal Room where you can have a peek into rooms from around the world (yes, WORLD).
I think I’ll give myself half an hour on my birthday (six days away) to sit back and check through the blogroll, add some more links, read some more insight and words of wisdom from fellow teachers, and just send a quiet, calm wish for peace out into the void.
Merry Christmas, and to you teachers, HAPPY WINTER BREAK!
Holiday Baking
The kids made their sugar cookie batch last night, so I had free reign in the kitchen today, making Toffee Butter Cookies, Pretzel/Rolo/Pecan melts, and my own sugar cookie trees and stars (I know, they didn’t turn out nearly as nice as the cookies the kids made!).
The Toffee Butter Cookie recipe was from a back-issue of Victoria Magazine (2001), and since I couldn’t find it on the new recipe site, here it is:
1 1/2 sticks softened butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup English or almond toffee bits
Decorative sugar for rolling
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Combine sugar, butter, egg and vanilla in large mixer bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy (1-2 minutes). Add flour, baking powder, soda, reduce speed to low. Beat until well mixed (1-2 minutes). Stir in toffee bits.
Shape dough into 1-inch balls (I use a small cookie scoop then roll the balls smooth in my hand) and roll in decorative sugar (I used white/clear). Place two inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheet, flatten slightly.
Bake 9-11 minutes or until edges are lightly browned (do NOT overbake). Roll again in decorative sugar if desired while warm.
Cool completely.
I discovered the Pretzel/Rolo/Pecan melts referenced on Angry Chicken’s site, but I changed the recipe a bit to accomodate my gas stove (lowered the temp to 350 degrees, used square pretzels only), so if you decide to try them, make sure to do a test batch before unwrapping too many Rolos from their gold wrappers! Oh, and * use parchment paper * on a baking sheet with an edge around it so the pretzels don’t go sliding onto the floor when you take them out of the oven!
Finally, I “cheat” when it comes to sugar cookies, because Betty Crocker makes the BEST mix out there! It’s usually sold in pouches, but can be purchased in a huge box at one of the bulk food stores. You can add flavoring (I added 1/4 tsp mint extract and crushed candy canes to one batch), make drop cookies (and add candies or Hershey’s Kisses while they’re warm), or make cutout cookies.
Of course with these done, I’ll be making Mexican Wedding Cakes (also known as “Russian Tea Cakes”) and possibly some gingerbread cake to round out the bake-fest.
Thank goodness most of these are being given away and mailed out in care packages…’tis the season to wear stretchy jeans, fa la la la laaaa, la la la laaaaaa…
Toddler and Teen United
…to decorate sugar cookies of course!
Using My Teacher Voice
I have a teacher voice. A mommy voice too. Being a kindergarten teacher and mother means that my “voice” doesn’t match the voice of a drill sergeant, doesn’t match the voice of a ticked off assistant principal in a high school, and certainly doesn’t match the voice of an assertive police officer in a touchy situation. I have to *explain* as I make a request, because the young ones I tend to deal with don’t have as much background knowledge or frames of reference that will clue them in quickly to what I need modified or addressed. Emergency situations are an entirely different matter, as no one misses or ignores any tone I use with alarm, and no one needs an explanation before trying to determine if they feel any motivation to respond as quickly as possible when they hear me use it.
We attended my daughter’s Christmas band concert this evening. It might have been an enjoyable event if only the audience’s behavior wasn’t such a long, drawn out train wreck. My blood pressure rose as my anticipation of my daughter’s performance plummeted. Teens and their siblings ran through the audience in the gym, running up to orchestra and band members snapping pictures on cell phones as the performers were warming up and tuning their instruments. Parents loudly chatted, played with cell phone ringers (no, they weren’t turning them off), and ignored their offsprings’ shouts, inappropriate comments and choice of vocabulary. I withstood four hits to the back of my head from teens running up and down the bleachers, not a single apology uttered once. Full-fledged conversations were being had in regular speaking voices throughout the first two musical pieces performed, and those of us who turned around to look at the chatters got rolled eyes, laughter and pointing as a response. Finally, I put my hand on a student’s foot (he had been kicking my side tapping his foot offbeat to the music) and whispered “Sweetheart, it’s not your turn to talk or make noise, it’s your turn to listen.” I followed it with a smile, and received a quick blush and nod in return.
My teacher voice worked on one student out of nine. You see, once young Master Foot was seen correcting his behavior, his cronies had to get louder and more obnoxious, perhaps in some attempt to avenge his honor. And every parent around me *let it go.* I watched a handful of other parents try to move inconspicuously away from other obnoxious teens and children, to no avail. There was no escape, no quiet area where we could listen for our child’s solo, listen to inspiring music, or enjoy the progress the band had made since the beginning of the year. I just about left the concert in tears, only because my other reaction would have been to have taken children by the collars to their parents and demanded an answer to “what the he** are you thinking?!?!?!?!?!”
I spent the first ten years of my life in this very Bordertown, living on the “poor” side of the mountain, maybe a mile from where we’re posted now, so I know it wasn’t always like this. I remember when the haves and the have nots equally spent time raising children to be welcome. Immigrant or local, English-only, Spanish-only, or bilingual speakers, all parents, grandparents, and neighbors encouraged (required!) children to say “please, thank you,” and “apologies.” “Excuse me,” “no thank you,” yes Ma’am, yes Sir,” were also regularly heard and rewarded with “what good manners you have!” Young children were left with babysitters, children old enough to attend performances were expected to sit still, save questions for later, and make necessary comments quietly. They understood the audience wasn’t there to see them, they were there to see the performers. Every school-aged child in the district attended two theater performances a year as a district requirement, and yes, we knew the expectations our teachers and families had of us. No longer, apparently.
As a side note, I’ll offer that it’s difficult to keep an audience on track and engaged when both the band and orchestra directors apparently have no clue when it comes to the choreography required when beginning, intermediate, and advanced musicians all perform on the same night, in this case, on the same gym floor. I’m fairly certain my old orchestra teacher, Mr. H., has passed on, and is probably rolling in his grave. If Mr. A. is still alive and kicking, he’s certainly been admitted to the Looney Bin by now if he’s witnessed performances like this, by both students and directors alike.
So, using my teacher voice, here are some suggestions (not that the local teens, teachers, parents, or musical directors care):
1) Please learn that there are times when it’s your turn to talk, and times when it’s your turn to listen. You don’t always get to choose which times happen when. Consideration isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of respect, respect you’ll receive in return.
2) Even if no one has formally taught you how to behave at concerts, plays, debates, worship services, or meetings, it’s okay to read the cues provided by the seemingly more reflective, calm, and observant audience members, and follow their lead. No, Joey belching out the alphabet during a band performance of the Hallelujah Chorus is not the best choice of role model. Sorry.
3) There is a difference between a musical or theatrical performance and a pep rally. Therefore there is a difference between the behaviors demonstrated at those events. Figure out the difference, and behave accordingly.
4) Just because your sister told you that Mary Jane was going to dye her hair blue before a concert doesn’t mean that once you get to said concert you need to shout out at EVERY inopportune time “HEY MARY JANE, LOVE THE DOPE HAIR! WOOT WOOT!” Either quietly admire the hair, or laugh about it under your breath, but either way, talk to Mary Jane AFTER the concert please. She’ll wait. Really.
5) School band concerts are actually not precursors to American Idol audience tapings, Jerry Springer reruns, or reality show soap operas. If you’re in the audience, I’m sorry, but it’s not about *you*. It’s about the people who have practiced, learned, developed and are sitting on stage now sharing with others. You don’t get the stage, therefore you don’t get the attention. It’s not your turn all of the time, no matter what You Tube, MySpace, and your lazy or absent parents have led you to believe.
6) Band and orchestra directors, when you’re rotating different groups of performers in and out of the performance or “stage” areas, *stop rearranging the furniture* and taking twelve minutes (yes, TWELVE) to rotate thirteen students out and twenty-three students in. It’s very easy. Set up ALL of the chairs and music stands you’re going to need. Then either choose to seat ALL band members, regardless of skill level together on stage, with students only performing when it’s their turn (yes, those not performing are capable of sitting quietly with their instruments across their laps), OR center the beginning group in the middle of the seats, leaving the extras empty, and then have them all walk off, row by row, to the left after their performance while the next group of students is walking on-stage, row by row, from the right. If the next group is bigger, they’ll take up more seats, but can still seat themselves center stage. Takes a *little* practice, but the end result is faster, safer, more efficient, and more professional than the thudding, crashing, and bashing of chairs, stands, and instruments (!), and the barking of directions to students too nervous to be listening and understanding clearly.
TWELVE MINUTES? No *wonder* you couldn’t get the audience back for the closing pieces! DOPE HAIR, MARY JANE!!!!!
Oh wait, that wasn’t my teacher voice, was it?
What You Might Not Know
Slowly, they come home. This depressive war zeitgeist makes it difficult, if not impossible, for our soldiers to return to their former state of ataraxia. Duties done, horrors witnessed, loneliness endured, they fear that many of their brothers and sisters-in-arms will return home to find themselves welcomed with merely a lick and a promise of our nation’s concern, tied with a faded and tattered yellow ribbon.
The stress created by the soldiers’ praxis isn’t considered contraband when he or she flies the Freedom Flight. It returns, camouflaged on board despite the sapid relief that washes over rows of deployed ranks as the passage of miles brings each soldier closer to home. Their hands, held as semilunar shades against their faces, shake as they look through the windows, knowing their families are waiting inside the hangar.
Mantic spouses hope for the best, prepare for the worst, while children who have endured the long separation demonstrate remarkable serendipity. Stories of their adventures, discoveries and escapades have kept their military parents’ morale high, the emailed and handwritten retellings reminding soldiers of what it means to be innocent.
Within arms’ reach, and finally dismissed from duty, families are reunited, coming together to share embraces, tears, relief, and endearments as sweet as halva, as sweet as peace.
***This blog entry is for a writing contest I found via Scheiss Weekly, many thanks for the link Mamacita!***
Just Promoting Literacy
…with much appreciation to Rosebud Design Studio! I’m looking forward to declining invitations to holiday parties with
thanking future colleagues (and ALL of my friends!) with
and leaving “neighborly” notes for the weirdos that put up Christmas displays the day after Halloween
More of the holiday collection can be found here, but just to *prove* I’m really a teacher, here’s my suggestion for the teacher’s lounge:
I’ll keep browsing through the site, because man oh man, some of these would make terrific magnets!
Holiday Fun!
Bears are everywhere! 
Goodyblog posts about polar bear bookshelves; Paris Parfait found bears playing in department store windows and even caught some “bear-paw-razzi” waiting to snap shoppers in Paris. Polar Bears even ride motorcycles (safely, thank goodness)!
Craftzine tries to keep waistlines whittled by offering a FELT gingerbread house pattern, (cute, but I’m still making the real thing), and though it’s two years past, Jeff Barr’s photos of gingerbread architecture are still amazing!
Enjoy!
7 Weird/Random Things About Moi
I’ve been tagged by Science Goddess for a meme, and since I know it’s one of Life’s Little Rules that you *never* defy a goddess (being a domestic one myself), here we go!
To get started:
1) Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog.
2) Share 7 random and/or weird things about yourself.
3) Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.
4) Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on his or her blog.
Okie dokie, here we go:
1) Like the Science Goddess, I too, am a morning person, and not just because I have a toddler who rises before the cock crows. I’m up early, having coffee, reading (even when the toddler sleeps in) and enjoying the solace each day, whether it’s a work day or not. At times it’s a pain having to wait for the rest of the family to wake up, eat, and get their own batteries charged, especially when I’ve been up and rarin’ to go for two hours.
2) I really dislike mobs. My early rising gives me the opportunity to avoid them while grocery shopping (the commissary opens at seven a.m. here), and I do whatever I can to get all of my errands done before the lunch hour, because mobs in stores or restaurants mean that there are mobs driving on the road. Do not invite me to go Christmas shopping with you on Black Friday. Do not invite me to go shopping with you on Christmas Eve, or the day before Thanksgiving for that matter, it’s not going to happen.
3) I prefer fat free coffee creamer over sugar free. That sugar substitute leaves a disgusting aftertaste in my mouth.
4) I find it extremely difficult to write anything more in-depth than a grocery list if someone is talking to me, I’m hearing sibling rivalry, or a television show is on too loud. I have to “hear” myself, my words when I write, and I can’t do that with unpredictable background noise or someone chatting away at me. Can’t.
5) I used to dance around to music as I did the domestic goddess thing. Vacuuming, dusting, cleaning the windows, folding the laundry. Journey was my get-up-and-shake-it music of choice. I’m not sure why I stopped. It’s a habit I need to get back into now that I think about it!
6) My fingernail polish and toenail polish must match. No burgundy fingers with pink toes for me.
7) Symmetry and balance is important to me. Very. The term “obsessive compulsive” pops into many of my friends’ minds when they come to visit me at home or encounter me putting up a new bulliten board display at school. I KNOW when someone has come into my home and tilted my mirror by the front door *just a tad*. It drives me insane when we move to a new home and the overhead pendants in the dining room or kitchen or living room aren’t centered with the windows in each location, or centered in the ceiling in a room without windows. Thankfully this need for visual balance doesn’t extend to my students’ activities in the classroom. They can expand or shift their learning centers, creative constructions, and move through the room freely to share their latest painting, favorite story, or plans for recess.
Whew! Kind of cathartic. Who to tag, who to tag, who to tag… I can’t think of seven, so I’ll choose three, thank them in advance (I know a lot of you are just trying to make it through this month!), and get this one posted!
Tags to:
Shannon even though she’s relatively new to BlogsVille!
Shabby Chic in Suburbia because she’s been an inspiration since I discovered her blog (and thank you for the photography tips!).
Education in Texas, a blogger I’ve discovered just this week- giving me hope that there is some form of teaching sanity in the Lone Star State.
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