Backpacks ARE personal items

Dear Avelo Airlines,

I have used this backpack a countless number of times flying to and from Florida. On these flights it has always been considered a personal item… until today.

Today I was pulled to the side of the gate, where my backpack was thrown on the ground to check the size. “It is a centimeter too long,” the gate agent told me.

“Ugh! I’ll take a few things out to make it work,” I replied.

“Wellllllll…. company policy is that you can only take one item out to try to do that,” the gate agent said.

“What?!?! That’s ridiculous!”

“I’m sorry. It’s company policy. Go ahead and step over there to pay $65 to make this backpack a carry on item!”

“This is crazy,” I muttered to myself stepping to the side and rolling my eyes!

Unacceptable Avelo! Unacceptable!

Will you make it?

8:45 Tuesday morning.

4 more school days until spring break.

3 more wake ups.

“How are you ever going to make it through today,” C asks.

I stare at her blankly. “How am I going to make it until Friday,” I think.

C must notice my confusion. “I mean… it’s going to be like 70 out today and you’re in pants and a long sleeve shirt! You’re going to be so hot!”

“Oh! True. But I’m sure I’ll be ok with the heat,” I replied with a smile. “Wait… but you’re in a sweatshirt and pants,” I called after her as she walked away.

Count My Blessings

This past weekend, to celebrate my birthday, I went to see A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical. Towards the end of the show Neil powerfully proclaims “I am counting my blessings.” So that’s what I’m doing after a wonderful birthday weekend (with more birthday celebrations to come)…

• A surprise happy hour for me
• A show and dinner in NYC
• Delicious breakfast made to order in my own kitchen
• A massage
• Shopping
• Time spent with my niece and nephew
• Dinner and cake with my family

My birthday was “So good, So good, So good!”

Wish I could have added more pictures too!

Put Me In Coach

Going into family vacation I said I would play 9 holes of golf…maximum of two times. After playing well on Tuesday though I was perfectly fine only playing once. Why not just end on a good note?!

But on Thursday THE BEST thing happened… my dad didn’t want to play. However, because he and my mom are the members of the course one of them needs to be on the cart at all times. So we tricked the club! Shhhhhhh

My dad played holes one, two and three. I walked the nature trail and got on the cart at the 3rd putting green when he finished and he walked home. I played holes four, five, six, seven, eight and nine. And let me tell you… I want to start a new thing… 6 holes at 6 o’clock!

Put me in coach! I’m ready anytime to play 6 holes!

7

Today marks the end of my 7th year doing the Slice of Life Challenge. So here are 7 things I’ve learned over the years…

1. My go to lead when I’m stuck is with dialogue.
2. When I’m stuck for an idea I turn to my camera roll on my phone.
3. I rehearse a lot of my writing while driving or in the shower before settling down to type it on the computer.
4. Some slices I love… others feel like a stretch.
5. I’m motivated by my fellow slicers and colleagues who comment and write daily.
6. I shared my writing more than ever this year with others as a form of thank you.
7. I still, at times, don’t see myself as a writer but it’s definitely growing on me.

So thanks for sticking with me, commenting and inspiring me for 7 years! See you back here on Tuesday!

McGivney Center

The text came in late Tuesday night asking if I wanted to play mini golf on a Wednesday evening. I was exhausted. My class has required a lot of handholding and extra energy lately. I had been out Sunday, Monday and Tuesday nights. But supporting the McGivney Center (an after school boys and girls club type facility/program) was always so fun. Do I go? Do I just stay tired and busy? Rather than make my decision when cranky and I tired, I asked to think about it. Meg understood completely!

After sleeping well and waking up on the correct side of the bed I was able to make my decision…”YES! I’d love to play mini golf tonight!”

Meg and I arrived at the McGivney Center to excitement. The first groups of players were about to finish their 18 holes, while the 2nd group was arriving and getting ready. Drinks were poured. Pizza was had. It was time to play!

Some shots were good. Some were bad… like really bad…like came back towards me bad. Until…

HOLE IN ONE!!!! Woo hoo!!

Missing Earring

“You’re missing an earring,” Q says to C as soon as she sees her Thursday morning! C seems to ignore the comment.

“Good morning! Is it the new style… 1 earring only?” I ask C, pointing to her left ear, as she enters the classroom on Thursday morning.

“Um… no! I’m not sure where it is,” she replies nonchalantly. This surprises me as it’s a new earring from her birthday. But if C isn’t worried, I’m not either! C carries on her her day.

5 hours later!

“Ms. Wetmore! Ms. Wetmore! My earring is missing,” C shouts as she runs towards me through the classroom, tears on the verge of spilling out.

I stop in my tracks stunned. “Um, we talked about that at 8:45 this morning, C! I’m not sure where it went. You’re welcome to check in the office if you want.”

“Nah! It’s ok,” C says. “Maybe it’s at home!”

“Maybe,” I reply! “Maybe!”

Coping Strategies

“AHHHHHHHHHHH,” G screams when she gets upset!

“This is too hard,” G says as a workbook is thrown across the classroom!

“I want to do it my way,” G pouts!

These have been common occurrences in my classroom this year when a student has gotten frustrated. We’ve worked hard at providing G with calming strategies and practice using them often. These strategies have ranged from taking a walk to using a stress ball, to reading for 5 minutes. Usually these strategies are only used with a teacher prompts G.

Today though, when frustrated during math, G took it upon herself to calm down on her own. She took a few minutes to draw a picture (see below), take a walk and ask calmly for help.

Progress (for today at least)!

Playdate

This weekend I had playdate with Duke. Duke has an egg allergy so I’m always nervous to bring food over to the house. But for this playdate I took a gamble. I read the labels very carefully. I had his mom read the labels very carefully too. It was decided he could try the pretzels and hummus.

We set up our plastic plates with a spoonful of hummus and some pretzels and took them to the table in the playroom. I turned on some kids music! Duke immediately dug in scooping the hummus onto the pretzel. We “cheersed” our snack too like we would cups. When Duke was tired of chewing the hard pretzels he just went straight for the hummus with his hands.

Duke ate and ate and ate. It’s safe to say these will be new staples on the grocery list in that household!

Amanda Saves the Day

I woke up Saturday morning feeling eh. I knew I wasn’t sick but I didn’t know what was wrong. I decided to take it easy. I’d enjoy some tea on the couch while watching some TV. Still not better. Some water while reading a book. Still no luck. I think I have acid reflux, I thought to myself. I don’t usually have to worry about this but I think this is what people have described to me.

I decided moving around would be a good idea. So I went to the grocery store. Moving around did seem to make it a little better. But then it came back. Of course I didn’t think of it while at the store… I should have gotten Tums.

Next up… distract myself and have a playdate with my 20 month old nephew Duke! Worked like a charm until dinner when I complained to Amanda (Duke’s mom) about this all day, on and off, eh feeling. “I agree it sounds like reflux. Buuuttttt, the red sauce we’re eating probably isn’t helping. Neither is the wine we’re drinking! Do you want to try Tums?”

4 Tums and an hour later and I was cured! Thanks Amanda!