Sixty is NOT Old!!

vacation tomorrow

2006-06-29T08:02:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow we leave for our annual vacation in Colorado. We've gone there many, many years to the same little town nestled up in the San Juan Mountains. We started going there when our kids were in elementary school, and now we sometimes all go (our grown children and their families). But this year it's just the two of us. We love having everyone there, but we also love going by ourselves. We don't "do" much there.....just read, take little hikes, jeep up in the really high country, picnic, eat ice cream in the park, throw rocks in the river, etc. I read an article in U. S. News and World Report just yesterday about how important an annual vacation is for one's health and how important it is to include some do-nothing time whether on a trip vacation or on an at-home vacation. It's the do-nothing that's the important part. Doing nothing is not easy for me; I feel so guilty when I'm not being what I consider "productive". But when we go to Colorado, I truly relax and bask in the doing nothing pace.

Works for Me Wednesday

2006-06-28T14:26:00.000-07:00

This is my first Works for Me Wednesday post.....be sure to check out my daughter's site: Rocks in My Dryer....she hosts this wonderful event! I notice that all the others have that cute little logo on their post, and I don't know how to do that yet, but I'm sure Shannon will help me with it.
Anyway....my WFMW idea is to organize your prayer list. I know that sounds awfully mechanical for some, but it really does "work for me." I have some things I pray for daily. My other categories are Monday - people with long-term health problems or people who are grieving; Tuesday - specific ministries, including my pastor and staff; Wednesday - people with spiritual needs; Thursday - friends' requests; Friday - my family. (That doesn't mean I don't pray on Saturday or Sunday, but I don't always have a sit-down quiet time those days. ) This way I can remember to pray for people. I keep these requests on small note cards in a file box with dividers for the days. I know if I didn't organize this way, I'd never pray for some of the people on my list. It's been a real blessing for me.

Frustration with testing

2006-02-25T00:03:00.000-08:00

This week our students took the first of three state benchmark tests. Since I don't have a "homeroom" group, I proctored (sp?) a small group of resource students while they tested. They worked so hard. One of the boys was proud as punch that he had written his longest essay ever.....it was less than one half of a page. When his score comes in, he'll score basic or below......not good enough for the powers that be. How absurd is it that a student gets no credit for just improving? Why do all have to be "proficient"? That's like saying every kid who signs up for Little League baseball will make the All-Star team at the end of the season. I taught 6th grade English for 13 years. I watched kids grow in their writing from a 2 sentence paragraph to a longer one with some real attempt at description and elaboration. Their longer paragraph certainly won't pass the test as far as the state is concerned, but in my opinion they should get credit for improvement. Isn't that what education is all about??

I think the tests are worthwhile if they are used as one measure of a student's, teacher's, school's work, but for major judgments to be based on the results of one test is unfair. I just wish those who make these decisions would spend one grading period in a classroom. I think they would see that a student's test score represents so much more than his/her actual learning/skill. (Did mom and dad fight again last night? Do I have a cold? Is she still my friend? What if I don't pass this test? Is grandma going to get well? etc.)

Thanks for listening. I know my post won't change anything, but it feels good to just complain!!!

What's your Favorite Exercise?

2006-02-19T18:40:00.000-08:00

So......what's your favorite exercise? I hate exercise, sweating, all that stuff, so it's been a real challenge for me to find an exercise program that works for me and that I will actually stick with. It's not an option for us, you know!! Anyway,I've found my niche......treadmill combined with audio book!!! I'm walking 2 miles at a time and reading lots of good books. (Reading is my favorite pastime.) Our small town library has a tiny audio books section, so I've solved that problem: I buy used books on tape from Amazon.com.....some are less than $1 but they've worked just fine. After I've read them, I donate them to our library. I've discovered this to be a great way to read the classics.

What exercise program is working for you?

Glad to make new friends!

2006-02-18T19:00:00.000-08:00

Wow! People are reading my blog. I'm really excited about that! This is a brand new world to me, and I'm a little unsure of myself. I don't really think I have much to say that anyone would be interested in, but I'm willing to try. What little browsing I have done at blogs indicates to me that there aren't many of us boomers blogging. We can't let the young ones have all the fun!!! Don't know about you other boomers, but I love being in our generation. I'm from the high school class of '64, and I just love our generation. I love how we're aging differently (and better) than our parents did. We have impacted every stage of life as we've come through because our numbers are so big. Now I think we're impacting retirement cause we're so healthy and young at heart! My husband and I aren't retired yet, but we hope to be in just a few years. We don't know exactly what we'll do then, but we're seriously considering moving to the large city where our daughter lives. We live in a very, very small town and would like to have a different experience in our retirement. I'm a teacher; he is in the insurance business. It's kinda like deciding what we really want to do when we grow up, isn't it. Thank you for stopping by and responding. I look forward to talking to you again.

A Teenager in the House Again

2006-01-07T18:33:00.000-08:00

My husband and I are hosting our first international exchange student as of today! R. is from a South American country. His English is excellent, and he is a friendly, delightful young man.
This is something we have discussed doing for several years but have hesitated because we've had an empty nest for many years and have become somewhat set in our ways! We work with the teenagers at our church and enjoy them, so we decided to give this a try. It's been a long time since I cooked for a teenage boy; come to think of it...it's been a long time since I've cooked!!! We're eager for him to feel at home with us and with the teens in our community. I'm expecting this to be a really neat experience.

Are there any people my age blogging??

2006-01-01T17:31:00.000-08:00

As I browse blogs, I am finding that most are written by people much, much younger than I. Are there any boomers out there ???

My First Blog

2005-12-09T08:16:00.000-08:00

Blogging is a totally new experience to me, and I am gradually being drawn into it. I don't really think I need a new hobby because I have enough trouble finding the time and opportunity to do the other things I enjoy! However, I'm intrigued at meeting folks on line who share my interests. Chat rooms never have worked for me, because I'm addicted to spelling, grammar, and complete sentences. (I taught 6th grade English for 13 years.) I've read many blogs that are well-written which gives me hope for the future of the English language! I find myself eager to meet some new friends. So.....talk to me!