The theme of the past couple of days has been the impending stress from a multitude of reasons; IEP’s, eligibility reports, lesson plans, meetings and progress reports…then there’s the holiday stress, the book that needs to get to the publisher; need I go on?
Growing up in northwest Ohio snow days were somewhat plentiful but nonetheless, a delight! Those blustery icy days offered spontaneous minutes of NO plans, NO ‘have-to’s’ and the gift of time to fill the hours with activities of my own choosing.
All too often, a jigsaw puzzle adorned our kitchen table and all passers-by were lured to fill in a piece or two, or resisting the temptation to plop themselves down and work on it. When the puzzle no longer held our interest we bundled up to venture outside to investigate the engaging landscape that resulted from the winds and delicate flakes. We trudged to the river to lace on our skates for daring acts of bravery conducted by innocence and child-hood enchantment!
Today set in motion that child-hood magic-an infrequent gift of time to soften the stress within, to breathe a bit lighter and take on choice events which will undoubtedly consist of working on my book and yes, putting in piece, or two of the puzzle gracing the dining room table.
Thank you God!
26 comments:
Ask, and ye shall receive!!
I'm sort of happy to have a day when I am housebound, as it MAY result in Christmas decorating getting started - if not finished!
The puzzles are fun. I worked mine on a drafting board so I could still use the table if needed.Working volunteer in a care center I often took that last piece to a retired preist who said he never had the patience to work on them. The smile was always there to be that last piece, and have the rights to say he finished it at dinner.
Part of being away from the schools is hearing all talk of mountains of paperwork and conferences.Hmmm, I am pretty stressed, I am still in jammies, but did eat.Today I make my last two goodies to pile on plates for 22 at this count. It will be nice to get some of my space back.
"Snow" days were always the best, and even now at my ripe old age, I get so excited about them. Today we are supposed to get about 6" of snow and just like I did when I was a kid, I got up early, opened all the blinds and started on the wait. Popcorn is ready to be popped, hot chocolate ready to drink, movies ready to be watched, and a big, fluffy quilt is just beggin' for company. Can't wait :D
Yay for a wonderful Snow Day! There is nothing like a day where you are forced to stop and breathe.....with those you love!
Dear Tracy,
I read your comment and came to see your blog as well. I hope you don't mind. I am so glad you read my rant the other day, and I will check into the program you suggested. If there is ever money the district decides to spend on reading improvement, it is so nice to give them suggestions on ways to spend it!
I loved this blog post. So simple and poignant. Delightful words!
Oh so glad you stopped by and I am so very glad to meet you.... Defiance was fortunate we the ice and snow did not come this far north but many other areas got hit hard with lots of accidents... I stay in whenever there is any sign of ice.... May the real blessings of the holiday fill you with love and joy....
Growing up in Wisconsin, picture puzzles were a winter-time tradition in our home too. Wiling away the hours together. Lovely.
We had two snow days, but it was too freezing to be outside longer than 5 minutes.
So glad today is bettter. My sis is a teacher and she is having a lot of stress with related issues this year as well. Happy for your snow day! Enjoy!! Thanks your for the sweet comment on my blog. I appreciate your concern and friendship. Relax and regroup on your day off...
Absolutely, Kenju...enjoy your housebound day! I know I am :)
OOTP, we have a Christmas puzzle up now but it's in the dining room which we hardle eer use for eating so that's a great place. IF we want to use it we put a table cloth over it and no one even knows it's there...well, a little bit! Who are you making all your goodie plates for? I hope you completed your task!
Jenny D, your comment made me smile because bright and early; 4:30 I was awake to see what it was doing outside. I thought I'd have out-grown that by now, but I guess now? Ummm, the hot cocoa sounds good and the quilt...I told my husband it was a grand day for a nap!
Dawn, AMEN!!! I love forced breathing :)
Professor, thank you on all accounts! I do hope you stop by again...and continue to enjoy my writing!
Sweet Old Vintage, glad you were saved from the ice; that is treacherous. In fact, here in NC there has already been a fatality from someone trying to drive when we've already been told to just stay home! Bless them...and you! Have a great day!
Texwisgirl...yep, we're whiling away the hours with a CHristmas puzzle :) thanks for stopping by!
DoanLegacy...seriously, if it's going to be cold, then let it snow...I can handle that better than the freezing temps any time! However, freezing temps encourage hibernation :) which is nice occasionally!
Bobbi, Absolutely today is better! I AM thinking of you and sending positive thoughts...you will NEVER be alone~
It is a blessing to be able to just sit back and breathe once in awhile. I'm so happy you were blessed with some snow.
OK Granny, it is a blessing...I'm just doing some blog hopping and going on wordy adventures...it's quite an enjoyable day! I hope you are enjoying your day as well!
So glad it worked out so well for you today, Tracy. Snow days are the best medicine! :)
Isn't it amazing how things work out sometimes! I'm glad to hear a break came right when you needed it most. :)
Hi Tracy, Oh how we love those unscheduled days off... When I was teaching (in the '60's), one year we had 30 snow days off of school... Of course, that was nice --but we hated it at the end of the year when we had to make up all of those days. 30 was a bit too many--but this was in TN --where there's no snow plows much.
Glad you did get a day off today.. Sometimes it just happens when we need it the most. We used to have a big jigsaw puzzle out on a card table --and everyone in the family would add to it as they wished... Thanks for bringing back that great memory...
Hugs,
Betsy
He does hear and answer our prayers. And I am so glad he provided you with this little respite from the stresses of life. It does sound like you are resting and enjoying it. I hope you return more relaxed and ready to go! It is snowing hard here, and we had a nerve wracking trip to the schoool, cars were sliding!
I really enjoy that top photo! Things are pretty stressful in my house, too. Perhaps I need a puzzle.
Nancy, I'm glad today worked out as it did as well...it's been a lazy one which I needed.
Daisy, YES, it is amazing how that happens...
Betsy, I was a high school senior when we had the Blizard of '78 and we missed most of the month of January and we dreaded the time when we'd have to make them up but since we had had so many, they were excused; Lucky us! I can't even imagine making up that many...UGH!!!
Ginny, He certainly does! I took a 2 1/2 hr. nap and still in my jammies! Stay safe in all that snow!
Jen... :) perhaps you do need a puzzle. It makes a nice gathering place and when spontaneous talk just happens...deep breaths...
Tracy, just want to thank you for joining Happy Days and stopping by. You remind me of my sister who lives in Blacksburg, Va,. She is always complaining about writing IEP's, and doing reports...etc...same as you. She is a speech and hearing therapist. Glad you had a snow day, perhaps you got caught up on all your nasty paperwork. We used to have puzzles on the dining room table. I love to do big puzzles. We still have one when we all go to the beach. We all stop by and fit a few pieces in during the days!!
We recieved 5 inches today...Bah Humbug!! ...debbie
I take it from the Bah-Humbug, you don't like snow? I keep telling my son who is eleven and LOVES snow that is the reason we moved from Ohio is so that we wouldn't have the white stuff. However, it came to my resuce today! Lesson learned...
Sometimew we forget the peace that nature brings when we are all rushing around our daily lives!! it's nice to pause now and again! Take care
x
Love Dawn's comment!!
When you have a chance, I've a little something for you at my blog.
Ah, yes, a teacher's blessing - a snow day!
That is beautifully written account of "Snow Days." Mine was spent shoveling ice, the reason I'm so late getting around.
De-stress and smile :)
Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow
Old Kitty,
you are absolutely right; why things work together for us! Isn't it sad though that we have to be forced to 'pause'?
Kittie,
I too love Dawn's comment, and thank you so much for my blog award...I have displayed it proudly!
Linda,
YES!! and I am NOT complaining~
Jules,
breathe...THIS TOO SHALL PASS! and thank you!
Post a Comment