Pulling up in the driveway, on a sunny afternoon, after walking 5 miles around the lake with friends, to see my baby (all 5’10 plus of her) shooting hoops. Santa brought our family a basketball hoop when she was 13 months old—that one finally wore out and the neighbors whose kids have also used it daily bought the new one. After an unusually cold, rainy and gray winter we are all happy to be getting some sun (don’t cry for me, frozen North!).
Another thing that made me happy Thursday was the lovely words of a junior in a class I’ve subbed for a few times this year. She complimented me on my hair, my makeup and my clothes—“You always look so pretty and your makeup looks good—I really appreciate it; some teachers look like they make no effort at all.” I actually agree with her and think it sends students the message that you consider yourself a professional and that you care for the students’ opinions if you are well-groomed. You don’t need to be a beauty queen, but I really think the jeans, flip-flops and messy ponytails ought to be weekend wear—the same goes for the male teachers that seem to have gone into education solely so they never had to wear long pants.
The two vegetable boxes my husband built me this week—Saturday will be for planting tomatoes, basil, eggplant and peppers. We’re going to start small for now, but if all goes well we’ve got lots of yard left!
Having everything, but the ink dry on Danger Boy’s college choice. I’m not going to announce it until he signs his letter of intent, but we have worked with some amazingly nice people at the school he is going to and the schools he will not be going to. It’s going to be its own post, but I will say this—everybody should look at private schools; don’t let sticker shock deter you.
The Rachel Maddow show. My friend Theresa said watching Rachel would soothe me—and she was right. She’s got a great mix of practicality and humor that is helping bring my feelings of despair under control. Also, her coverage of Wisconsin Scott Governor on the hot seat in D.C. was a wonderful how-do-you-do.
What made you happy on Thursday?
Edited to add: Just after I pushed post I decided to check Words with Friends one more time before I went to bed. I played “jest” on a triple letter, triple word and intersecting with “ow” to make “owe.” 105 points, baby!
I'm trying to be happy in my frozen Utah home. 32 degrees at 7;00 am, but clear skies and no threat of precipitation for today. So I'm a bit conflicted.
Posted by: Gail | April 15, 2011 at 09:04 AM
105 points? WOW.
Love the photo of your girl...in my next life I will be 5'10!
I agree with you on putting in some effort on your appearance. A little bit goes a long way.
SO happy for DB!!!
I am SO excited that you are starting a garden. YOU will love it!!!!!
Posted by: Busy Bee Suz | April 15, 2011 at 09:47 AM
You have inspired me!
Posted by: Jenn @ Juggling Life | April 15, 2011 at 09:55 AM
I, too, planted a garden in boxes that my husband made for me- basil, tomatoes, cucumber, cantaloupe, crookneck squash, green beans, carrots and radishes. Very exciting!
That 105 points was the nail in the coffin of my defeat.
I listen to Rachel Maddow as a podcast. She is helps me believe that there are still some sane people in the world.
Posted by: Leeri | April 15, 2011 at 11:18 AM
Jeans, flip flops? SHORT PANTS ON MEN? Is this a California thing, or is this nation wide?
No wonder you do well with kids, I think they do respect you more than a teacher who dresses like a slob. Unless that teacher is incredibly funny and then that always trumps clothes! (at least it did in my day)(1897)
Posted by: Suzy | April 15, 2011 at 11:34 AM
Oh, I have loved Rachel from her days on Air America radio and have recorded & watched every one of her tv shows. What I particularly love: her moments of Geek (Alex has actually used stuff he saw on her show to score extra credit points in school), her cocktail moments, that she LOVES to have debates with Republicans & treats them with respect & actually gets many of them on her show more than once (who knew I could learn to like Michael Steele?) but MOST OF ALL, I love that when it turns out she was wrong about something, she will ADMIT IT & apologize. J'adore!
What made me happy this week? I ran for a mile! I went out for a 2.2 mile jog/walk and completed it in under 26 minutes AND officially logged one mile of that running. My longest stint ever. I'm a walker & hiker by nature & have always loathed running with a white hot passion.
Good luck with your garden. The times in my life when I've been able to play in the dirt have always made me happy.
Posted by: Chrisitna | April 15, 2011 at 12:21 PM
I love Rachel Maddow and have started to DVR her show since I work nights.
My veggie garden has become the local critter buffet - so this year I am going to try to fool them by planting in pots up on my second floor deck!
Hurrah for Spring weather - finally.
Posted by: Brightside-Susan | April 15, 2011 at 12:32 PM
YOur post was a bright burst of cheer--needed to read some happy stuff today, so thanks.
Gardens...please get warm here!
Posted by: green girl in wisconsin | April 15, 2011 at 02:09 PM
Oooh! Can't wait to hear where he decided to go!
We have a basketball hoop (it was there when we moved in), but it is pretty beat up. I hope Dylan will let me shoot hoops with him when he's older. I think it will be a great way to get him to talk about school since boys seem to open up more when they are engaged in an activity.
Glad you've been having happy days!
Posted by: Jenrantsraves | April 15, 2011 at 06:06 PM
Thursday I received some happy news from my daughter, she decided to do Running Start next year! Congrats to DB, can't wait to hear all about it!
Yay on starting a veggie garden. I'm enjoying watching what I've planted break through the soil while searching for the sun.
I've been listing/watching Rachel Maddow for a few years now and find what she has to say very right on.
Posted by: Tammy | April 17, 2011 at 11:10 AM
I was just outside admiring the pea crop in my husband's garden. Hopefully there aren't any critters also out admiring it!
I'm glad to read happy news. There hasn't been much of that in my life lately.
Posted by: kcinnova | April 17, 2011 at 06:08 PM
I'm glad that wasn't against me!
Posted by: suburbancorrespondent | April 19, 2011 at 07:56 PM
I don't think that was against me haha. Could have been though, we seem to take turns winning :)
Nice weather makes most days better. I've been working on vegetable gardens too. I bought some bell peppers in various colors today since my seeds aren't coming up.
Where I work everyone dresses down. WAY down. I don't really like it but then find myself doing it too. I draw the line at wearing shorts though!
Posted by: mom taxi julie | April 20, 2011 at 12:02 AM
well this blog is great i love reading your articles.
Posted by: moncler nouveau | November 26, 2011 at 09:39 PM