The Roller Coaster

Peaks and valleys. That would be a good way to describe life these days at Pershing Cottage. First and for most, the weather has been nearly insane with 70 degree temperatures one day and 30 degree temperatures the next. From slick ice, to hot sun, this winter has been one of the most extreme we have seen in quite a while. Also, the violent swings of wind direction have really caused my allergies to overreact, which is all together most unpleasant. I am, however, excited to see if some of the usual garden pests that plague me have been killed off by these harsh extremes.

Another positive with all this winter weather is the many snow days. Even as a teacher, I still get excited for an unexpected snow day. Last night at 10:30, for example, I received a call on my cell phone with the blissful news that school had been canceled for the day. I hung up the phone, curled back up in my warm bed, and let a huge smile stretch across my face as I fell deep into sleep. I woke up a the same time I do every weekday morning (6:00 am) without that feeling of urgency. I have to get up, I have to get stuff done. You know the feeling. I spent the unexpected holiday taking a leisurely coffee Mom all morning and then completing a few school things I had been neglecting for some time. Later in the afternoon I treated myself to a movie, then returned home for dinner with Mom and Dad. All in all, it was a perfect surprise holiday.

My work life has also been filled with peaks and valleys as of late. My students push me to the edge most every day. I suppose it is in the nature of humans to poke and prod, constantly checking their boundaries. While most all the time I can eventually take a step back from a situation and recognize that these students are still children, last Thursday my students pushed too far and it left me feeling upset, useless, and taken advantage of. It has really been one of the bigger clouds to hang over my head during my first year of teaching and it makes going to work much less fun than it should be. However, like all things, I know this will pass and I am strong enough to push forward. By the way, on a small side note, stay tuned for posts to come about my first year as a teacher. I believe I will create a separate blog chronicling my first year pitfalls and advice to other new teachers to the trade.

Making the most of your day is a hard thing to do. The older I get, the less time I feel I have in a day to accomplish all I want. Of course, perhaps this is not the best year to make such statements as I am overly busy with work a the moment. Still, there are certain things I would like to accomplish in my day that I just haven't been able to fit in. For example, I would like to wake up and do a bit of yoga every morning. I never work out. And yes, I know that is not good for me. Every night I say to myself, 'today I am going to get in bed early and wake up a full hour early so I can get some things done'. Yet, every night, it seems I cannot get in bed before 10:30, and quite frankly, you don't want to meet me on the day I get less than 7 hours sleep. Plus, I work with children all day so I cannot have a grump face. So, the yoga dvd I purchased with every good intention sits on my shelf collecting dust. I usually get home from work somewhere around 6 in the evening, and on my way home I make a mental list of things I want to get done. The first, being to shuck the shackles of my work wardrobe for the liberating sweatpants and faded, soft t-shirt, is never difficult to accomplish. However, my once plans of dusting the house, sweeping the floors, or doing the laundry all fade out of my memory as I take a hugh mental sigh fall onto my comfy sofa with some sort of snack. At this stage 45 minutes fades into nothing and suddenly it's time to have dinner and get prepared for the next day of work. Right now, life is focused solely on my work and performing well, I'm the worst when it comes to putting my health before everything, but I am hoping I will get better at it with time. 

Finally, I thought I would post a few pictures from our most recent girls night in. It was quite a success in my opinion. 

The appetizer table spread. Prosciutto, Bresaola with lemon, olive oil, and capers, toasts, mixed olives, lambrusco jam, camembert cheese, wensleydale with apricots, parmesan cheese, and aged cheddar cheese.

And for dessert, meringue cookies dipped in chocolate with double cream centers.

Wishing you good tidings from the frosty Pershing Cottage. May your up coming days be filled with relaxation and a blissfully quite mind.