Walgreens

Standing in line at a Walgreens pharmacy on a Sunday morning, I heard his deep, yet gravelly voice on the other end of the line for the last time. It was the very last time I heard his voice say “I love you.”  As a child, we were in church from the time the doors opened, until the last person left.  But this day was different.  I called him while waiting, which is what everyone does at Walgreens, wait, wait, and wait some more.  The line is seemingly never-ending.  That day however, on July 19, 2015, I wish it would have taken longer.  We made small talk, discussing the change in vehicle inspection prices, and my journey to get my car inspected.  A normal discussion for us, but so very out of the ordinary this time.  I was sick, waiting to pick up an antibiotic at the pharmacy.  He was still in bed.  He knew breakfast had been cooked, but he said “I’m just so tired.”  I made him promise me he would get out of bed and have pancakes.  I inherited my ability to talk to a brick wall from him.  Yet this day, neither of us could quite find the words to say.  Silence came between us.  I said “I love you daddy.”  He replied “I love you.”  Our entire conversation lasted no more than 15 minutes.  I would love for it to have lasted 150 minutes.  Less than a month later, I saw him.  I don’t know if he recognized me, I don’t know if he understood what I was saying.  I had a lump in my throat the size of a plum as I said “Hey daddy”.  Less than 24 hours after seeing him, we said goodbye for now.

As the anniversary of our last exchanged “I love you” is approaching, I’m at times overcome with tears and sadness, but they are washed away at the reminder that we will see each other again.  We will be reunited and we will talk the ears off of everyone in Heaven together.  We may even find a golden brick wall to have a conversation with.  We will laugh, we will smile, and we will be together again.  Until that day, I will continue to relish in the fact that I am both loud and funny just as he was, as I am my father’s child.

Picasso Pumpkins

While leisurely browsing Hobby Lobby's markdowns, I came across these face cutouts:

You see faces, I saw much more. So I snagged a set of 30 for $1.48. Once I got them home I went all Picasso and whacked off an ear.

You see it now, I know you do. Pumpkins! Next I traced my pumpkin onto some scrapbook paper.

Cut the shape out. 

Pulled another Picasso, off with the another ear.

Now I had pumpkins, but I wasn't satisfied with the stubby stem. If you like it then you're done, if not, here's what I did.

I'd like to say I could tell you exaclty what to do next, but I just eyeballed a good stem (on the first try mind you),

and I used it to make my own template.

Now to create a string of them that will be my garland. Or they could be cards, notes to send out, the possibilities are endless. Do not be deceived by what you see, craftiness comes when you least expect it!

Then it hit me

     As I sit here with wet hair on a rainy Friday night, just having finished my Taco Bell, still drinking my Mountain Dew, and thinking about the pint of ice cream that is in my freezer, I feel it is the perfect time to blog. The thump, thump, thump of Nor's tail tells me she agrees. Henry's deep sigh is equally confirming.

     Throughout the string of events called life, I had always considered the "what ifs". The "what if" one or both of my parents were killed in a car accident? How would I take the news? How would my family react? What would happen? Through all of the "what ifs", the one I didn't consider was "what if" I know the death of a loved one is approaching, but I'm still not prepared when it comes? I certainly never considered sitting and listening to my dad take his last breath. I sat, surrounded by my family, and listened to my mom tell my dad that it was okay to go. That he could dance on the streets of gold while he waited for her to get there. At that moment I prayed, I begged, I pleaded with God to take him away so he wouldn't be in pain anymore. When God answered my prayer, when I heard my dad take his final breath at 1:20 A.M. on Thursday, August 6th, I immediately wanted to yell at Him for taking my daddy from me. For once in my life, I wasn't mad at God for ignoring me, I was mad at Him for giving me the very thing I requested. 

I miss him in the little things every day. I miss him in the "then it hit me" moments.

I finished my meet the teacher letter and wanted him to proofread it.

I pulled out my phone to e-mail him a copy...then it hit me.

I was at a gas station and a sign had a grammatical error.

I pulled out my phone, took a picture, as was about to send it to him...then it hit me.

My tired looked low.

I pulled out my phone and went to text him to ask how to check it...then it hit me.

Henry and Eleanor did something gross.

I pulled out my phone to give him a laugh...then it hit me.

I watched a movie we both loved.

I pulled out my phone to send him a movie quote...then it hit me.

I was walking out of a movie theater and wanted to know what movie this actor had been in before.

I pulled out my phone and started to ask him...then it hit me.

I man-handled my dryer inside all by myself.

I pulled out my phone to brag about how strong I was...then it hit me.

I couldn't get my dryer cord and hose hooked up.

I pulled out my phone to ask him how...then it hit me.

Mom sent me an insurance card for my car. Dad's name wasn't on it.

I pulled out my phone to tell him there was a mistake...then it hit me.

I broke 100 while bowling.

I pulled out my phone to tell him...then it hit me.

My birthday is fast approaching.  I know that this year there will be no paper towel with "Birthday Breakfast Bacon" written on it(the real kind, not turkey).  There will be no flowers in my bathroom when I wake up.  There will be no card on my steering wheel. No birthday hug. No birthday whisker kisses. No birthday Chinese food with him while watching TV.

I can hear his laugh. I can hear his sigh of exasperation(because I do it so often as well).  I can smell him. I can see him. I can even feel him. But it's not the same.

I know there will be lots more of "then it hit me" moments. But I love those moments. As much as they hurt, and cause me to tear up, they help me remember how much I love him, and how much I know he loved me.  They help me remember how much he would have loved my future kids.  They will never get the chance to sit in his lap, or be engulfed in one of his hugs.  My future husband will never get the chance to meet my first love who set the high standard he has to live up to.  But those "then it hit me" moments allow me to experience a piece of dad every day.  Tomorrow Henry and Norris are going to get groomed. I know that when they get done I will have a moment when I want to send a picture to him...and then it will hit me. I'm ready for it. I'm ready to experience him again tomorrow, and every day for the rest of my life.

Zucchini Salsa

Be warned, this is not a typical post.

I'm not a chef, a fitness guru, or a health nut, I'm simply on a journey to be a healthier version of the me I already love.  This takes me on some very fun experiences that involve food.  Today it was Zucchini Salsa.  I hope you enjoy the recipe!

Servings  - 2  WW Points Plus Per Serving = 3

1 cup chopped zucchini
1/2 cup medium apple chopped
1/4 c. chopped bell pepper
1 oz. Hormel mini pepperonis chopped
1 1/2 tbsp. Kraft Tuscan Italian Dressing

Combine zucchini, apple, bell pepper, and pepperonis in a small bowl that can be closed with a lid.  Drizzle dressing over the mixture.  Close with lid and shake until well mixed.  Chill for best results. Serve with crackers or my favorite, veggie chips.

Top 12 On-line Dating Profile Pictures

I am not ashamed to say that I have tried on-line dating.  During this journey, I discovered several picture types that guys have on their profiles.  The typical pictures are as follows:

Top 12 On-line Dating Profile Pictures

12. Selfie in a foreign place.

11. Selfie in another foreign place (probably doing mission work.)

10.  Selfie in a famous United States city.

9. Selfie with your kids(with a caption that says "Hanging with my son" but a profile that says "I don't have children at home.")

8.  Selfie with or in your vehicle.

7.  Selfie with your dog(or neighbor's dog if you don't have one)

6.  Selfie doing something athletic(marathon, biking, fishing, etc.)

5.  Selfie at a sporting event(probably with a beer in hand)

4.  Serious selfie in your bathroom mirror.

3.  Picture with your ex that you have cropped out(just plop it in paint and erase her)

2.  Selfie with a niece or nephew.

And the NUMBER ONE most often found picture on a profile...

1.  Picture that has been scanned in and is at least 3 years old (preferably Olan Mills family portrait circa 1996, but Prom pictures work too, because we both know that since you are 30 you look the same as when you were 17-18.)

Anyone else have a type of picture that shows up a lot?  Feel free to comment and share!

On a side note, I tried on-line dating, I was skeptical (Catfish anyone?).  But I was pleasantly surprised when almost 6 months ago I was matched with a man that makes my heart smile every day.  He challenges me both intellectually and spiritually.  I started to think it wouldn't happen.  I'm not advertising for any specific site.  But answer me this, how do you know it'll end badly for you, just because it didn't work out for someone else?  If nothing else, I knew I'd walk away with a few laughs.  Luckily, I walked away with a best friend as well :).

Meet the Meat

 

I know, I know, it has been a very long time since I posted.  Well I'll make up for that today, hopefully.  By some ADD bunny trail chasing moment, where we were discussing expository text, and a graphic of the food chain, the class and I got caught up on the discussion of steak fingers.  This is not funny, yet sad, very sad.

 

Me: Well what are we having for lunch?

Students in unison: Steak fingers!

Me: Okay, and where do steak fingers come from?

Students stare into space blankly.

One brave student volunteers.

Student: The cafeteria.

Me: Well yes, where does the cafeteria get them from?

Another student: Sonic!

Me: Not quite.

Another student: Wal-Mart!

Me: Okay, what animal would we get steak fingers from?

Students stare into space blankly, yet again.

Another brave student volunteers.

Student: Pigs!

Me: Where do hamburgers come from?

Student: Sonic!

Student: McDonald's!

Me: What animal?

Student: Pigs?

Me: Hamburgers come from cows.  Steak fingers come from cows.  Lots of things we have come from cows!

Student: Chicken nuggets?

Student: No, those come from Sonic.

Me: CHICKENS.  Chicken nuggets come from CHICKENS!

Me: What about bacon?

Students: PIGS!

Me: YES! What about eggs?

Students: PIGS!

Me: Chickens.  Eggs come from chickens.

At this point I stopped the class, found a video on cows and the things they give us, and sat back in amazement.  When they found out cows gave us yogurt, ice cream, and what we need for cheeses, they were beyond amazed.  When they found out leather belts and boots came from cows, their mouths dropped.  Did we stray from the lesson? Yes.  Did we still learn? Yes. 

 

How does a child make it to the age of 9 and 10 and NOT know where what we eat comes from?  

The Paper Towel Phenomenon and Ethnicity Challenges

Oh how fast things have been moving!  I can't believe it is almost time for Thanksgiving break.  While I can't believe it, that does not mean I am not ready for the time off.  My students have been, well, they have been themselves.

The Paper Towel Phenomenon

I recently had the opportunity to join my students on their grade level field trip. Of all the things we saw, and all the things we learned, my favorite memory was in the bathroom shortly after our arrival.

In our bathrooms at school, we have the push button paper towel dispensers.  Push, push, push, pull, tear.  One of my sweetest friends, who I will forever remember, changed my life on this field trip.  While taking the first of one of our many bathroom breaks, this particular student had not come out yet.  I go in to find her standing at the paper towel dispenser with what appeared to be 30 paper towel sheets in her hand.  She was passing out paper towels to any one who needed them.  This paper towel dispenser was the type where you pull and it is precut.  No buttons.  No tearing. She was in heaven.

Me: What are you doing? We need to go, everyone is waiting on us.
Student: Miss Polson, watch this!
*Student pulls a sheet of paper towel down*
Student: It's perfect, EVERY time!
Me: Yes, I see that.  Let's go.
Student: AHHH it did it again! The same size!
Me: It will do that every time you pull it, now let's go.
Student: AGAIN! It did it again!!
Me: Hey, I bet if we keep moving we can check the next bathroom to see if it does it too!
Student: OH CAN WE?? This is the best day ever!

Oh the simple pleasures in life. 

Ethnicity Challenges

The first.  I read a series of books to my students that often uses a play on words, or the wrong word in order to teach the students new vocabulary.  The words we had discussed recently were figment, and pigment.  Fast forward 2 weeks.

I was talking to a student who's family is expecting a baby.

Me: What is your mom going to have?
Student: It's a girl, but she'll be my color, my mom stopped drinking so much chocolate milk so her skin figments wont be so dark.
Me: Ah.

The second.  I work with a very unique group of students.  Every year I meet at least one student that I will never forget.  This year is no different.  I identified his student on day one.

We walk into the classroom to get math started just like every day for the past 11 weeks. My aide is finishing up with a student across the hall, so I begin.

A student, looking right at me, asks me this question:

Student: Where's Miss Polson?
Me: I'm right here, I'm Miss Polson.
*Other students confirm that I am in fact Miss Polson.
Student: Oh. Where's the black Miss Polson?
*The light bulb clicks when I realize she is referring to my aide.
Me: She'll be right over.

Hey, at least they knew my name!  We've got until June to get the next name down.