Day 27 #100daysofhappiness

I was happy for an easy day at work. Teaching 4K wasn't too bad. They are easier in most ways than 5th grade! Anyway, I was happy for the hours and a fairly easy day.

Day 26 #100daysofhappiness

What made me really happy today was getting a letter in the mail letting us know that Ryan got accepted into Walden Middle school! I was over the moon, jumping up and down excited. Ryan...not as much. I'm sure he was happy, but he was in the middle of reading a book and gave me the "whatever" look. But I'm very happy! It's a huge relief for me. This whole middle school business was nerve-wrecking. Not too many options and most of them I didn't like. Walden was definitely the best and I hope it will be a good fit for him. If anything I hope it helps make him more responsible. So yay for middle school acceptance!

Day 25 #100daysofhappiness

I keep forgetting to do this each night.

Day 25: Taking Lucy to school and seeing the excitement and joy on their faces when they see her. It was the first time in almost a month I was able to bring Lucy to school because I've been working so much. But seeing the look on the children's faces and the joy in Lucy makes up for it. They adore her, and Lucy loves being there too! So glad I was able to bring her yesterday.

Day 24 #100daysofhappiness

Day 24: Getting home safely in a snow storm! Yet another snow storm this winter (will it EVER end???). Getting 4-7 inches of snow throughout the day today, and driving home in it is certainly not fun. Thankfully I live only a mile from work/school, so it wasn't too far, but I'm still very happy to have gotten home safely in a winter storm.

Day 23 #100daysofhappiness

Day 23: hot soup. I was still sick so a wonderful bowl of hot soup and some bakery bread made me happy!

Day 22 #100daysofhappiness

Today having a wonderful, loving husband made me so happy. He not only got me Nyquil yesterday, but he ran out to get me tissues with lotion today. He made lunch and dinner for the kids and took care of me. Even let me take a nap. I'm so thankful and happy to be married to him. :)

Day 21 #100daysofhappiness

Valentine's day....and while my husband makes me very happy, on day 21 I was very happy for Nyquil! Sick as a dog (are dogs really that sick?) and all I wanted was a good night sleep. So much for a romantic Valentine's day, but it's all good.

Day 20 #100daysofhappiness

Today was a tough day. I was tired, not feeling well, sore throat, etc, etc. However, I did enjoy an hour with Kyle at the school dance tonight. It made me happy to see him having fun with his friends, dancing to the music. So Day 20 is the school dance with Kyle.

Sorry this is short...as previously mentioned...not feeling well :(

Day 19 #100daysofhappiness

Today I'm happy for job stability! Two weeks ago, I didn't think I'd work much. Because I will only sub at one school, I am rather limited to subbing. I figured I'd work maybe once a week if I was lucky. But a few weeks ago, when I first got the job and finally got my sub # and all that, I wasn't getting any jobs in the system. I even called the person in charge because I was concerned my website wasn't working. But I didn't need to worry long. Last week I worked 4 days, and this week is 3 days so far. Seems I definitely have some job security! I'm very happy for the work.

Day 18 #100daysofhappiness

Day 18 is pretty simple: I'm happy that I don't have any preteen girls!
I had to sub today for Ryan's class today. While they are a good class, lots of good kids, rather chatty, but overall good kids, there is some preteen girl drama going on! whew! All I can say about this is I'm so happy I have boys :) That made me very happy today.

Day 17 #100daysofhappiness

Day 17- having a day off! It was nice to be leisurely about things today. I did laundry and some cleaning, but I was able to do it in my own time and pace. After working all last week, and already set to work at least twice this week, I've really missed how it feels to be able to do things around the house in my own pace. Back to the grind tomorrow!

Day 15 and 16 #100daysofhappiness

I know this isn't part of the rules of this game, but you know, sometimes we have to improvise. I wasn't able to do my 100 days this weekend. It was a very busy weekend with our tax appointment, lunch at my mom's, shopping, dropping the kids off, date night!!!!! and Sunday we had the family birthday party for Kyle and my two brothers. So I just didn't have the time to sit down and write a blog. Some days are like that.

However, I will try to backtrack when that happens.

Saturday, Day 15- Date Night!! A full night without the kids definitely made me happy! We don't get date nights very often. In fact, I think the last date night we had was back in Sept for our anniversary. So it makes me very happy when they happen! Kyle spent the night at my mom's and Ryan at his friend's. It had been a very busy week and I was exhausted. Normally we go out and do stuff we don't get to do with the kids around, like go out for a drink at Great Lakes Distillery (one of our favorite places), go out for a nice dinner, Comedy Sportz, etc. However, we both just wanted to enjoy the quiet! So we went to a local restaurant for dinner, then came home and watched tv, cuddled up on the couch, which is a rarity lately since Kyle has to sit right between us (he doesn't like to share his mom). It was very relaxing, and incredible to just chill and enjoy the quiet.

Sunday, Day 16- Family. We had a family birthday celebration at my mom's house. My mom, dad, brother Don and his wife Candy, brother Darrell, and my little family were all there. It was nice to enjoy the family and have some time with everyone. My brothers turned 50 this past week, so I'm trying to enjoy them even more now that they are "over the hill"! It really was one of the better family get together's we have had in a while. That made me happy.

Day 14 #100daysofhappiness

Day 14 is 2 full hours to myself! Because I've worked so much this week (4 days!!!) I haven't had any time to myself at all like I normally do. After school today Kyle had a playdate with a friend and Ryan went off to his friend's house. I had 2 hours of peace and quiet! It was heaven :) Definitely made me happy!

Day 13 #100daysofhappiness

Day 13 was watching the Olympics with the family. I'm glad my kids have such an interest in watching sports. Not only is this entertaining, but it's good history for them also as the reports talk about a lot of the history of the Olympics, the country, and the culture. It's great quality tv.

Day 12 #100daysofhappiness

Today what made me really happy was my boys' grades! We received report cards for the 2nd quarter, and Ryan got straight A's, and Kyle got H's in math, reading, gym, and art, and S's in all the rest. I'm so proud of my boys!
I'm so very grateful to have boys that are incredibly smart and talented.

Day 11 #100daysofhappiness

So yesterday I was too tired and busy to write my 100 days post.

So the thing that made me happy on Day 11 was my bed! I am not used to working all day and then coming home and trying to get the laundry done, dishes, homework, cleaning, etc. I'm used to being able to do it on my own time. So last night I was just plain exhausted! Thank goodness for comfy beds :)

Day 10 #100daysofhappiness

Today's item came as a big surprise. I spent the morning dropping the kids off at school, then got a 3.5 mile run in, showered, and had just started laundry when I received a phone call from the school. I never know who's going to call me, considering Ryan tends to be pretty forgetful!
It was the secretary, asking if I was available to come in and sub the special ed class. The teacher wasn't feeling well and was going home. If it's between laundry and cleaning, or making money by teaching, well, kind of an easy choice!
The day actually went really fast and was pretty easy. The afternoons are easy going. And it really helps to have an assistant in the class that knows what's going on.

So my day 10 is my very first paid subbing job. :)

Day 9 #100daysofhappiness

Again, lots of choice to choose from that made me happy today.
But I'm going with family time watching the Super Bowl/Kitty Bowl.
We didn't make a dinner. We just made a bunch of snacks like popcorn, chips, cheese, sausage, crackers, fruit, and even made smoothies. Then we just grazed on snacks and watched the game and commercials. It was really nice family time together, and I'm impressed that the commercials and half time show have been family friendly. All in all, it made me happy.

Day 8 #100daysofhappiness

Today most things made me happy, so I'll wrap it up into one little package: my newly 7 yr old boy!! Today is Kyle's birthday and as of now he is officially 7 years old. Hard to believe he's that age already. Not to repeat the old adage, but really, time does fly by. It feels like it was just yesterday when it was -5 degrees and I was going in for a test at the hospital and all hell broke loose, and 9 hours later he was born. It's an extremely long (and frustrating) story that I may share at another time. For now though, I'm happy that Kyle had fun on his birthday and all went well. He spent the afternoon with his friends at Skatetown, enjoying a party, then home to play with some of his new presents, then off to Texas Roadhouse for his favorite buns. Home then to play some video games (mainly Minecraft). He asked to stay up until he officially turned 7 (at 9:29pm) and I agreed if he behaved. However, the poor birthday boy passed out at 9pm from a very busy day. I even have a nice picture of the two of us at the restaurant together. A rarity as this boy doesn't like pictures!
A wonderful day and the whole thing made me happy. Happy Birthday Kyle!!

Day 7 #100daysofhappiness

Day 7: a good run.

Unfortunately I haven't been keeping up with my running like I'd like to. I try to run at least 3 miles, 3 time a week. However, with how much I volunteer, that hasn't been happening. Today's run was the first one I have done in almost 2 weeks. oops. It was a tough run, but it felt so good! It was slow, but I managed 3.3 miles. A good run always makes me happy.

Day 6 #100daysofhappiness

I was thinking about it yesterday, but I didn't have time to sit down and write about my happy moment. So I'm already a bit behind.

Day 6: gratefulness. I spent a lot of time at my boys' school, mostly volunteering (though I now am a substitute teacher, I have yet to actually work as one). Thursdays is my usual day I spent all day at the school. I work in two classes, then spend the rest of the time doing various projects for teachers. Most of this school year I have been working on leveling books, first the guided readers that goes with the curriculum, then various teachers' personal libraries. Now, I do these things, not because I want accolades or acknowledgement, but because I know the teachers don't have time to do these things and I like helping out. I had spent three months doing the fourth grade libraries, and the teachers decided to go in on a gift card for me to a restaurant. I was truly grateful for it, though they really didn't need to get me anything. I do it because I know it needs to be done. So day 6 is all about gratefulness, how they are grateful for my help, and I'm grateful they appreciate it. That makes me happy :)

Day 5 #100daysofhappiness

This past fall I trained and tested my dog to become a therapy dog. While we can go to places such as nursing homes and hospitals, I opt to take her to the school where kids read to her. Lucy absolutely loves the attention, and really enjoys listening to the kids reading. It makes a huge difference for the kids reading levels, and it makes some children feel more at ease when they know they can read to someone that won't judge them.

Day 5: Taking Lucy to school. I love taking her to the school. I find it rather amusing that when I am in the school with her, the kids usually don't notice me. They will say hi to the dog first.
She is such a sweet and calm dog, and most kids love reading to her or petting her. It really makes me happy to know I'm helping kids become better readers, just by bringing my dog to the school.

Day 4 #100daysofhappiness

So today what made me the happiest (and the day isn't over yet so I must be REALLY happy) is getting my first job!

As previously mentioned, I recently was hired as a substitute teacher. However, I haven't had a chance to sub yet. I check the site every day but no jobs have been available. Part of it is because I only want (and can) work at one particular school right now, so that cuts down on how many jobs I get. And the cold weather giving us "snow" days doesn't help either when school isn't in session.

But today one of the teachers requested me as their sub for a job next week! I'm so excited! It was so cool to accept my very first official sub job! I'm excited now, but I'm sure I'll be a nervous wreck the day before!!

Day 3 #100daysofhappiness

Again, no picture. But I don't feel this should be a picture challenge. After all, there are many things that make me happy that I can't necessarily take a picture of. Such as my item today.

Today what made me the happiest was when Kyle woke up, came in my room, and cuddled up with me. We slept for an extra half hour together.

He is almost 7 years old, but I still love it when he cuddles with me sometimes. He is such a mama's boy, so I get lots of cuddle time with him. But I know that one day he will grow out of it. So some of my favorite moments during the day are times when he's still my "baby." This is what made me happy today....cuddling with my favorite almost-7-year-old. :)

Day 2 #100daysofhappiness

Ok I already suck at this. I forgot to take a picture of the thing that made me happy today. Well technically a lot of things made me happy today, but the one thing that made me the happiest I didn't take a picture of. But since I'm a writer, I can just describe it. That counts, right?

Homemade Chicken Wings

What made me the happiest today was what I made for dinner. Homemade chicken wings. They are the best! Baked for an hour on 400 degrees, turned over halfway through. They are nice and crispy on the outside and falling off the bone on the inside. Covered half of them in BBQ sauce and the other half in Buffalo hot sauce, then dipped in ranch dressing. mmmm. Best. dinner. ever!

Hopefully tomorrow I can remember to take a picture!

100 days of happiness

So I'm starting something new for the year. Yes, I'm rather late with this. But it doesn't have to last the whole year, just for 100 days, so it's all good. I'm not as good doing something for the full 365 days, so I figure only a portion of it should be enough so I can actually finish one of these challenges.

This was brought to my attention by my friend Jenn. See if you can find things that make you happy for 100 days. It doesn't matter what it is. Then take a picture of it and post it with the hashtag #100daysofhappiness.
So I will step up to this challenge and try it. We'll see how far I get!

Day 1: New hair color and cut. I've been blonde for the last ten years (with the exception of a year when I was pregnant with Kyle). So this was a big change. But I love it! Certainly made me happy.

What made you happy today?

Suicide Blonde

Today is the last day I will be "suicide blonde." Blonde is not my natural hair color, but it is what I have been for the last, oh, at least 7 years. I was blonde for a while before I had Kyle, then went to my natural color while pregnant with him (was told the chemicals weren't good for baby), then went back to blonde afterward. The last few years I've been VERY blonde.

Now I need a change. I've loved being blonde. It's a color I always wanted to be. But it's getting kinda old and boring now. I'm not liking my hair lately. Not just the color, but the style too. I need a change.

I really can't wait to see how my vision turns out! I hope I don't hate it and have to hide in a hole for 2 months!!!

So it's been a while.....

Hey! Yeah, I bet you never thought I'd write on this again. To tell you the truth, I completely forgot about it until this very moment. I'm not even sure why I even remembered.

So a lot has happened since I last wrote. Apparently that was back in 2011. It's now 2014!

I don't even think I mention all the things that have happened. But I can start with what's new currently.

So for the first time in 12 years, since I moved back to Wisconsin in 2002 and became a mom, I have a job outside the home!
Since we moved back to Wisconsin, my husband and I decided it was best for me to stay home and raise our kids (well, one kid at that point in time). One kid became two. And so I've been a stay at home mom for the past 12 years. This is now the second year both my boys have been in school full time.

I thought I'd have so much free time once they went in school. I was so joyous at the thought of having 7 hours a day to myself, in hopes of keeping the house clean, shopping by myself, and actually doing things I enjoyed like writing and scrapbooking. But then I got involved in the school. And my "me" time dwindled.
I became very involved in PTA, becoming VP for one year, and then on to President for 2 years. This year I have continued to volunteer at the school on a regular basis (sans PTA), plus I also bring my dog to school twice a week (she's a certified therapy dog). So it's no surprise that at the beginning of this year one of the teachers asked me why I wasn't getting paid for being there (ie, why wasn't I a teacher). I had no idea that I could sub without an education degree/license. In fact, all I need is the BA that I never used!
Long story short, I was hired by RUSD last week and am heading out to orientation tomorrow! It will be nice to finally get a paycheck for what I pretty much already do. Except I won't get paid for bringing Lucy (my dog) to school.

I still like to scrapbook and write, but unfortunately those things are still on the backburner until someday when I have time. Eventually. For now I'm very excited about this new venture in my life.

On to the next chapter!