Love Leads to Heartbreak

Love inevitably leads to heartbreak. Let me explain a little more...

Book Love

For as long as I can remember, I have been a lover of books, but this summer I read a book that's changed my teaching life and inspired me to put a book into the hands of every one of my students...

Children of Blood and Bone Review

Back in May, a colleague said to me, "We're reading this book over the summer." Only it wasn't a question, but more of a statement.  And being not one to say no to a book, I reluctantly said, "Okay," only because I'm not that into fantasy books, and also because this was a lengthy one...

Visits from My Mother-In-Law

My mother-in-law (MIL) recently visited us for one week, and while she was here, she asked me a very interesting question...

Book Review for Then She Was Gone

I finished this book earlier today.  It gave me sleepless nights, and it had me asking this question...

Which Television Character Are You Most Like?

Most recently, I got hooked on the TV show Rise...

Summer Reading 2018

Once upon a time, there was this woman who started a blog because it brought her so much joy. At first, she had sooo many ideas, and she wrote and wrote, and posted and posted. It was as if she would never run out of ideas. She had hefty goals to post regularly, even several times a week. When that didn't happen, it became more realistic to post once a week. Sadly, these days, even that's a stretch...

On the Outside Looking In

I know what it's like when you're on the outside looking in....

After the Last Day of School

After the last day of school, when all the kids are gone, teachers have post-planning which pretty much means we have a big ole party and celebrate the fact that we don't have to see another kid for two months. Just. Kidding!!!

Even at Forty-Four

I realized the other day that, even at 44, I still need my mom...

The Last Day of School

For the past several years, I have done this one special thing for my students. It happens on the last day of school, it's memorable, extraordinary, and it makes them cry every time...

When Love Is the Way

I have been eagerly awaiting this day! I set my alarm, and this morning I woke up super early to watch the fairy tale turned real life wedding of Harry and Meghan...

A Handwritten Note for Every Student

This school year, I'm writing a thoughtful note to each and every one of my students...

The Other Woman

The other woman.  I met her recently. I say that so nonchalantly. It was actually three weeks to this very day, and I don't think I will ever get her out of my mind...

Royal Baby Number Three

Kate though. Can we please talk about the Duchess of Cambridge for just a moment...

What Else Is Possible?

Instead of self-doubt, worry, and stress, why not come up with positive answers to this one question...

A Special Thing We Do

There's this special thing we do in my classroom. I gave my students the idea to do it one day, and it sort of took off, and now we (they!) do it all the time...

We Can't Forget. I Won't Forget.

Meet Kyle Laman. We share the same family name, but I've never had the pleasure of meeting him. Not yet, anyway.  Kyle is 15 years old, and thank God, he is one of the survivors of the tragic school shooting in Parkland, Florida...

Three Things about Black Panther

Have you seen the movie, Black Panther? We saw it yesterday, and I found myself thinking about it hours later. Almost like having read a good book and wanting to discuss it with friends. Here are three reasons why...

Conversations with Roller

I haven't done one of these in a while, and especially because he's growing so fast, I'd like to have a record of these moments...

Thinking of Parkland

Since Wednesday, I haven't been able to get Parkland out of my mind.  I keep thinking of the entire community, the students, teachers, parents, the victims, those who survived, and those who didn't...

I Gotchu

It's that time of year again...

Illustrious

Illustrious. Adjective. It means...

Love Like a WildFire

If you had to compare your love for your significant other to a fire, which would it be? Would it be like a dangerous and unpredictable wildfire or a stable and nurturing hearth fire?

My Royal Obsession

I'm not ashamed to admit it. I'm obsessed with anything having to do with the royal family...

The Thing about Marriage Vows

The thing about marriage vows is that we say them on our wedding day, but which couples are able to actually live out and obey their vows?  A colleague of mine recently shared that she and her husband were able to experience all that they had vowed during the first month of their marriage! I can relate for many reasons.  But none other than the sickness and health vow. You see, today marks year TEN that The Hubs has been living with...

Bedtime and Wake-Up Woes

I've long thought that my son is the only child who...

Thin Slices of Joy

Happy New Year! Or is it?

I don't know about you, but during the Christmas holidays I'm on such a high filled with the holiday spirit, but then after, I'm left feeling a bit low and craving more of that good cheer. Yesterday, thankfully, I was reminded of something to pick me up...