Shut Down, Unplug and Disconnect

I returned to my new school today for day one (out of 10!) of pre-planning, and I had to remind myself of something...

My Favorite Teacher, Equity and Reflections

Day two of teacher orientation and icebreaker activities got me thinking about my favorite teacher, of all time, and what I want to remember going into this new school year...

First Impressions as a New Tiger

Today I returned for a new year at a new school.  I'd like to journal my experiences here as I embrace change and choose courage over comfort. So here are my first impressions, so far, of the greatest middle school in the nation...

Like Tug of War

Dear Gwinnett County Public Schools, I'd like to share my thoughts on returning to school this fall...

Like Liquid Coffee Ice Cream

I'm no coffee expert, so I'm glad I've finally figured out how I like my cup of joe...

A Friendship for a Season

I've written about friendships before, and that sometimes people come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Today I'm remembering a friendship that lasted only a season...

The Best Thing I Ever Ate

The best thing I ever ate was...

This is Ten

Ching Chong Ching.  These are currently the most popular words in our home right now, added by Buddy Roller, at the end of most statements...

Fear is Bigger Than the Obstacle Itself

I've lived long enough, and I've been through many challenges to know that this is true. Fear is bigger than the obstacle itself...

Lessons from The Alchemist

Besides The Kite Runner, The Alchemist is one of a few books that I've re-read. And it seems each time I read this book, I discover new meaning and life lessons...

Before I Was a Teacher

A looong time ago, before I started teaching little humans, I pursued a career in journalism...

Five Most Influential People

Who are the five most influential people in your life?

He Keeps Riding

In honor of Father's Day today, I'd like to tell you why I'm proud of my husband and baby daddy, The Hubs...

Current Obsessions

Here are four of my current obsessions...

Go For It

During one of our weekly walks, a friend of mine asked me a really good question...

Courage over Comfort

In January, on my birthday, I did something I hadn't done in more than five years...

On Being Silent About What Matters

 Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."

Summer Reading List for 2020

Last week when the library finally reopened (for pickup on holds!) I grabbed my first stack of summer reading books...

You Are Enough

Bear with me here. What I'm about to tell you is so ridiculously simple but also so important...

Finding My Voice

This may be hard to believe, but it's taken me this long to find and use my voice...

Five Books You Should Read This Summer

I've read them, and they're approved!  Here are five books to add to your reading list this summer...

Black Lives Matter

Today marks one week since George Floyd was murdered in an unjust and inhumane way, caught on camera, for the world to witness and take action...

Dear Students

More than ever, it was important to write to my students at the end of this school year...

Last Monday

What a difference a year makes. A year ago, this picture was taken on the last Monday of the 2018-2019 school year...

The Last Romantics

Don't let this title fool you. This book is not just about romantic love as the title implies, but rather it's about all kinds of love. Messy love. True love. Conditional love. Weak love. And most certainly, this book is about the failures of love...

Current Obsessions

For many years, I haven't had the time, patience or the desire to make puzzles, but lately I've come to appreciate them.

These nights, I've been making quite a few puzzles. It takes me hours and sometimes days to finish one, but I love the escape they provide. I can get lost in trying to make hundreds of little pieces fit together. The other night I played some 80s love songs while working on a puzzle. Good times!

I've become quite the baker too! I've baked a couple of cakes, a banana bread, a zucchini bread and lots of cookies in the last several weeks. I love the distraction that baking provides. It takes me away from the troubles and anxieties of the world. It's my therapy. It's comforting, and I love that I'm making something for my family to enjoy.

Here's a weird question. Do you like chocolate chip cookies without the chocolate chips??? I do!!!

I've been making these cookies...a great recipe from Joanna Gaines but I leave out the chocolate chips in half the batter, so I can make the cookies just how I like them. I put chocolate chips in the rest of the batter for The Hubs and Buddy Roller. The secret ingredient in these cookies is light brown sugar which makes them chewy and oh so good. I only bake a small batch at a time. Then I roll the rest of the dough into small balls and freeze them. That way we can bake them whenever we want.

Never will I ever buy store bought cookie dough again!

I hope you're finding a few new hobbies yourself, and I hope you're doing okay. Hang in there!

What Have You Missed Most?

What is the first thing you'll do when this quarantine is lifted?

Are you just dying to eat out at your favorite restaurant? What loved one or friend will you see first?

I've really missed eating out. Of course there's still take-out, but it's not the same as sitting at a table and having a hot meal placed in front of you. I love cold and soggy fries...said no one ever!!!

My family and I miss our trips to get our favorite burgers and fries. I love mine dressed with onion straws, jalapenos, cheese, lettuce, tomato, ketchup and mayo.  I know this is something we're all looking forward to, especially Buddy Roller who always gets a root beer float. 

I've been dreaming of tacos, chips and salsa!

And...I really miss spicy Indian food! My friend and I love to visit this restaurant and have their lunch buffet.  I don't typically do buffets, but I made an exception for this place.  We always eat way too much and hardly have any room left for their delicious rice pudding and flan.  This comfort food always hits the spot!

Passing Time

How are you and what are you doing to pass the long hours each day during quarantine?

These Three Little Words

When I was growing up, these three little words weren't used a lot...

Every Item Tells a Story

I bet that for every item in your house, there's a story to tell...

Why I Love Chrissy Teigen

She may be someone women love to hate. She's beautiful, rich, married to John Legend, and she appears to have it all.  Let me tell you all the reasons why I love Chrissy Teigen...

Would You Want to Know?

If given the opportunity, would you want to know the date of your death?

Postcards From Jamaica

When I visited Jamaica in January, for my father's funeral, it was a super short trip, but we made the most of our time, in the country of my birth...

On My Travel Bucket List

If I were young, stupid and didn't have a family, I would...

The New Normal

We ride our bikes. All. The. Time...

Life Before COVID-19

It really wasn't that long ago when life was, relatively speaking, normal or was it?

Seize the Opportunity

Our country's current quarantine in response to the deadly coronavirus got me thinking back to a very uncertain time in my life...

Let's Talk Books

A few weeks ago, when I posted on Instagram that I was about to start reading this book, a friend replied, "No!!!"

How Are You Coping?

How are you doing?

Tell Me Something Good

When a friend calls or sends me a text, I love saying these words...

Happy Anniversary Chalkboard Memoirs!

I can't believe it's been six years (!) since I started this blog...

Twenty-Five Things I Will Never Do

One of my sweet friends gifted me this journal for my 46th birthday, and I'm loving the 300 thoughtful and creative writing prompts. So today, I give you the 25 things I will never ever do...

When You Change the Way You Look at Things

When you change the way you look at things, the look of things change. This is so true. Here are some things I used to believe...

'80s Love Songs

Isn't it fascinating how one single song can transport you back to a time, place, mood, experience or even a deep emotion?

Why I Love Rooting for the Underdog

 One of the things I love about teaching is seeing growth and progress.  I guess that's why I love rooting for the underdog...

My Father Was an Enigma

June 2014, Jamaica

After going back and forth for several weeks and weighing the options, the decision was made on whether or not I would attend my Dad's funeral...