Blog neglect...

I have seriously been neglecting my blog.

It has been unintentional. Blogging has not been on the top of my to-do list lately. I need to do better. I actually enjoyed when I used to blog daily. It was therapeutic for me. I'm not sure anyone really follows blogs anymore - the trend seems to have passed - but I still enjoy them.

It's New Year's Eve today. Here's a quick post on a few things that happened in December that haven't been mentioned.

•  Our Christmas was nice. We were at the MTC in Provo on the 23rd, 24th, and 25th. We were able to hear Elder Nelson speak along with the artist Greg Olsen. It was all nice but I was all meeting-ed out by Christmas night.

• For some reason I've given up on cleaning my house over the break. It's not looking good around her. I'm waiting for the motivation to clean everything up.

• Christmas came too fast for me. I couldn't face it. Ken put up the tree and decorated it all by himself. It looks nice. We didn't get all of our lights up outside either. It all seemed a little overwhelming to me. I need to start taking things down before the break is over. 

• We've spent a lot of time being lazy during the break. Most of the days we haven't made the bed. It's awfully inviting when the flannel sheets are calling your name. We'll lay in bed and talk, read, or get online. It's a nice way to spend some free time.

• We're in for a rude awakening when school starts back up - Thursday for me and Monday for Ken. We haven't been on any sort of a schedule.

• We have been able to have some great spiritual experiences this Christmas season. I am always amazed how the Spirit can guide us to know about the needs of others. Things always seem to work out in ways that are beyond coincidental. 

• I had a birthday last week. I hit the big 38. The term "late thirties" has never sounded so grim. It was a low key day. We spent the day at the doctors office. I FINALLY got Ken to see a doctor for his back. Getting him to the doctor was the best birthday present of all.

I didn't take any pictures at Christmas. What was I thinking?? I did get some photos at my family Christmas party that I will post. I'll get back to you all in 2013!

With all the talk...

So with all the talk about gun laws in lieu of the recent school shooting, I found this to be interesting. I'm not trying to say anything political, I just found it interesting.

Devastating...

Click on image to enlarge
Image from thefirstgradeparade.blogspot.com

What a horrible event! As a teacher I have tried and tried to imagine a tiny bit what those teachers at Sandy Hook Elementary might have been feeling. I can't even begin to comprehend it. We practice lock down drills every so often but always assume it's not a reality. Who targets elementary schools?
 They have been constantly on my mind and in my prayers. I feel like it is the right of a parent to tell their child about such an event, and not my job as a teacher. I did not mention it in my classroom on Friday. My cute little firsties had no idea the real world outside of our own classroom even existed. After hearing about the unbelievable tragedy, I enjoyed my little class a lot more Friday afternoon. There was a lot of extra noise, talking, laughing and fun. I was a-okay to have an academically less-productive day so I could enjoy their little personalities, voices and spirits. Such a horrific event for the faculty, families and community of Newtown, CT. Nothing can be said or done to alleviate its impact. This awfulness from Friday makes me love my job even more!

This week in my classroom...

There are times I seriously can’t believe I have to have a college degree to do my job. A lot of times, in fact.

I had a student with a bloody nose (not uncommon) sneeze all over my morning meeting/calendar area (uncommon). It looked like a crime scene. I went through an entire container of Lysol wipes and took some things home to wash in the washing machine.

I actually said, “please quit cutting your hair again” and “we don’t wipe chapstick all over the pencils” yesterday. When was the last time you uttered those words to someone?

One of my sweet autistic students had a complete meltdown today because he couldn’t find a brand new blue Crayon in our Crayon Graveyard. It’s called the graveyard because all of the crayons in it are basically dead. No new one will be found. It was a lost cause. Did I go ahead and give him a new blue crayon out of a box? Nope. I’m trying to work on problem solving and realizing that he can’t always have what he wants. I think I’m moderately successful. The breakdowns are less often and he tries so hard to solve his own little trials. I love him.

This same student and I had a battle a while ago over a purple marker. He was making a rainbow and didn’t think the color was “purpley” enough. I showed him on the marker where it said purple but right below that it said violet in parenthesis. He wasn’t convinced it was really purple. Darn that Crayola! They only make so many shades of purple markers. My life would be a lot easier with more purple selections.

I have a different autistic student that lets me know every morning at 8:20 a.m. that because he ate breakfast that day he needs to “poop” – his exact words. Oh wait… it gets worse. After a few minutes he comes back to the classroom, works on something for 10 minutes and then comes back to me to let me know that he needs to go back to the bathroom because he’s not “done”. It grosses me out every single morning. I know it's coming but I can't get used to it.

I have a student who is going the 12 Days of Christmas for me. It’s been really fun but I’m waiting for the food. I’ve had 8 days so far and not a single piece of chocolate. It’s still fun, though. I like paperclips and clipboards too… they just don’t taste quite the same as chocolate.

One of my students came to school the other morning with a goatee she had drawn on herself with a marker. I tried all day to not notice it but it made me giggle all day long.

Every so often I have to remind the first graders that they do not have boyfriends and girlfriends, because they think they do. I tell them that they’re not old enough to drive and don’t have jobs to pay for the date so therefore they don't have a boyfriend or girlfriend. One of my students piped up today and told me he had a job because he had 2 lemonade stands this summer and made money. Clearly I stand corrected.

I can’t even count the number of times I’ve said, “please get dressed” to various students this week. 

If I were cool...

I got thinking this morning as I was getting ready for work about all of the things about me that would be different if I were cool. Here are a few of my thoughts and explanations as to why I am not cool.

If I were cool I'd wear high heels.

Instead, I wear sandals... every day... every season. First of all, I find high heels to be uncomfortable. I am on my feet all day chasing down first graders. Second, my husband and I are near the same height. Third, I am shoe blind. Heels all look the same to me. I can't tell if you're wearing a $675.00 pair of Jimmy Choo's or a $8.99 pair off of the Payless clearance rack. Save your money.

 

If I were cool I'd wear trendy necklaces.

I love them... on other people. I get pretty annoyed with stuff hanging off of my neck. I get even more annoyed with my hair getting stuck in the claps or chain. I wish I were more daring and bold with my jewelry choices but it's comfort over looks with me.

If I were cool I'd wear belts.

I don't own a single belt. My child bearing hips seem to hold my clothes up just fine. Also, people of my plumpness (did that sound nice or what) really don't need to accentuate anything, especially the bulges above and below the waist. The only belt I wear is my seat belt.

If I were cool I'd have an expensive handbag.

Handbags can make such a statement! My statement must be I only carry black handbags from Ross or TJ Max that are on super clearance. In fact, I don't think mine even qualify as a "handbag". Mine is a purse. I use it until it starts to fall apart and then I go buy another one... in black. I don't have the privilege of flashing a satchel that is worth five months of my car payments. So uncool.

If I were cool I would wear lipstick.

I hate to admit it but I don't own a single tube of lipstick. Not one. I used to wear lipstick all of the time, when I was cool. Now I wear lip gloss, but I usually just smear on a coat of Vaseline petroleum jelly. It's shiny enough.

If I were cool I'd have amazing eyelashes.

My eyelashes are sparse, short and blonde. Three strikes, I'm out. I use the ole' eyelash curler and glop on a few coats of mascara. Cool people get eyelash extensions. Depending on who does them they can look unbelievably amazing... or they can look like something off of a really cheap and scary doll. The good thing about not being cool is that I don't have to pay for the extensions or the upkeep. Also, I can rub my eyes and wash my face like a normal person.

If I were cool I'd have an iPhone.

Cool people are serious about their communication devices. They can Facebook, Tweet, blog, check their emails, surf the web and do a myriad of other things all from their phone. I have a ghetto phone. No touchscreen. Buttons. I don't email, Facebook, blog or surf anything from my phone. I text or call. Period. When it comes to phones, I don't hang out with the cool kids. I'm fine with it.

If I were cool I'd wear my long curly hair down like the celebrities.

Just like the necklace, it's comfort over looks for me. I find my hair to be heavy and annoying. The once a year I wear it down, it's pulled up within 15 minutes. I can't explain it, it just is. Cool people have hairstyles. Creatures of habit have messy buns slapped on the back of their heads.

If I were cool I'd sport a carefree short hairstyle.

 Meg Ryan has always had great hair in my opinion. I can't be cool like Meg Ryan. First of all, people of plumpness (nice again) don't necessarily look good with short hair. My face looks fatter with short hair. Also, you would think that I would want short hair because all I do is pull mine back. WRONG! I cannot stand short hair because I can't pull it back. Short or long I'm not cool.

If I were cool I'd wear cute hats.

There are so many cute hats out there and so many women who look adorable in them. I'm not talking about the Royals, just hats as accessories. I can't wear hats for 2 reasons. One, my head is abnormally large. True. I don't know why. I can't go to the store and buy a hat that will fit over my melon. Two, my ridiculously not cool hair will not allow me to put a hat on. Even if I tame it down, it's not going to happen.

 

So there you are.

Tomorrow when I get ready for work I will pull up my hair, put on my frumpy makeup, don my sandals, grab my ancient cell phone, throw it in my chintzy purse and continue to be uncool. I'm a-okay with my levelness of cool, or lack thereof. It works. But... I would really love to wear that black hat!

Tuesday's letters...

More random things 

floating through my mind...

 

Dear Mother Nature,

The sunsets you pull off this time of year are amazing! I don’t remember seeing the sky so red, pink, and orange in the evenings as much as I have lately. I hate the fact that it starts to get dark before 5:00 p.m. but you can really put on a show. The sunsets in the west are stunning but the effect that it casts on the eastern mountains can be even more beautiful.

Well done!

Kristina

Dear Monster Trail Mix from Target,

You are not doing my body any favors. I don’t know if it’s the nuts, raisins, the M&M’s, or chocolate AND peanut butter chips that I find addicting. Let’s face it… it’s a train wreck of sugar and chocolatey goodness amidst healthy (if eaten in small quantities – which it rarely is) legumes and tree nuts. Oh sure… I could buy the kind with dried apples, pineapple and banana chips. But why? I don’t find anything empowering and uplifting about dried out apples. M&M’s? Yes. Banana chips? Nope.

My classroom addiction,

Kristina

Dear First Grade Class,

Today was so difficult! Our student teacher finished last Monday and now you’re all mine, like it or not. You’re not used to me anymore since you have had Mrs. Pence as a teacher for the past 55+ days of school. Some of you had a rude awakening last week when I returned to “reign”. Even though we’re going to have a bumpy few weeks for the proverbial changing of the guard, you have no idea how excited I am to get you back. I have really missed you! Be patient with me as I take over, and I will be patient with you too.

Much love,

Mrs. Adams

P.S. Mrs. Pence… I miss you greatly. I have LOVED working with you. You are a wonderful teacher. I hope your experience with me was a good one. I worry it may not have been. I think every cooperating teacher worries about that.

Dear Downton Abbey,

Ken and I have re-watched season one and season two. We’re excited for season three to come out. It airs in January and we’ll buy it as soon as it is released. We’re worried about Mr. Bates and are ready for Mary and Matthew to just get married already! We’re also excited that you’re bringing on Shirley MacLaine. That should be entertaining. I really want to read the spoilers on the internet but I won’t. This much I do know… there is a wedding, a death and a major heartbreak. That was as much of a spoiler that I read.

We’re excited!

Ken and Kristina

Dear Ken,

I know that there is a lot of stress on you right now. It’s the end of another semester and it’s rough! You’re putting in applications for doctoral programs and that’s rough, too. I can see by the look on your face that at any minute you’re about to crack. I know how this is all going to work out in the end so I can keep my cool. You’re going to be just fine! You seem to feel this way at the end of every semester and we went through this when you applied to BYU. You’re not doomed. You’ll pass everything with flying colors, get accepted in a doctoral program and continue to wonder what in the world you’ve gotten yourself into. You’re amazingly talented and have an incredible God-given gift. You’ve worked hard to develop that gift into your love and passion. God doesn’t give someone a talent like yours to watch them develop it and then dump them off in the middle of nowhere. You’re going to make it! It may not feel like it, but you will! I’ll just continue to pick you up, brush you off, and tell you to keep going. You’re going to make it.

With love and support,

Your Wife

Dear Motivation,

I have a Christmas tree and decorations to put up in my house. Where are you? I could really use you right now.

Thankyouverymuch,

Kristina

So what became of my tree?

Ken and I went to opening night at the Festival of Trees. My mom and dad were there along with my mom's brother and his wife. It was the PERFECT time to see everything. Since it was bidding night, everyone had to have a V.I.P. ticket to get in. No one under the age of 16 is allowed that night. Needless to say, the festival was quiet and not one bit crowded. There definitely was a spirit there since the people that attend opening night are the donors, decorators and their families. As cheesy as it sounds, you could certainly feel the love that each tree represented. There were many smiles and many tears.

Here are just a couple of pictures we took at the festival on Monday.

This tree was one of the strangest ones there... but it sold. The tree was made entirely out of Sprite bottles. It was this odd looking green plastic tree. There was a large bottle collection that came with it.

It was interesting!

This display was fun. It was done by the same family and shared one large space.

There was a University of Utah side...

and a Brigham Young University side.

Beautiful trees!

So what happened with my tree?

I was pretty disappointed that it didn't sell on opening night. It had a high price tag on it and didn't come with any "stuff". It was just the tree, which I happened to like.
 But still, $2475.00 for a Christmas tree is pretty spendy.

There is an interesting end to the tree's journey. I received a phone call tonight from one of the board members of the Festival of Trees. She explained that my tree was in a unique position. There was an interested buyer for the tree.  The buyer wanted more information about my uncle, which I gave to them. I also told the board member a little bit about my aunt and how she has volunteered at the festival each year since my uncle passed away in 1999. The board member took my information and told me she would be calling me back.

A few minutes later I received another phone call from this same board member telling me that the tree had sold. The tree sold for $1600.00 to a buyer who asked to remain anonymous. The buyer didn't want the tree, however. The stipulation was that the tree be paid for by the anonymous buyer and be given to my uncle's widow, my aunt Kay. Wow. I certainly wasn't expecting that. I wasn't sure how my aunt was going to feel about that. She is so sensitive and emotional about my uncle being gone. I called her to tell her about what had happened and she was overwhelmed.

The tree will be delivered by the festival to my aunt's house tomorrow. I hope it brings happy thoughts about my uncle and a feeling of love knowing it was bought just for her. Thank you to the generous person who bought my little tree. It was a great experience for me. (My mom and I are planning on doing it again next year.)  It took 15+ hours to decorate it and during that time alone, I was able to reflect on my life and family. I had some pretty powerful and spiritual realizations during those hours.

Here's one last look at my tree on opening night.

Thank you again to the anonymous buyer. You've allowed our family to feel the Spirit of Christmas in a very rare way. Although this isn't the journey I thought the tree would take, (it is certainly an uncommon one) I am amazed that the tree has more or less come full circle. I hope my Uncle Wesley is smiling as he's riding his horse through the hills of heaven. We miss him!

Completed tree and set up pictures...

Yesterday was tree set up day! Anyone who was doing a tree for the Festival of Trees had from 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. to get their tree 100%finished. I had the majority of mine done beforehand so we didn't arrive to the venue until noon.

Here's my brother, Clint, and one of my dad's employees, Anthony. They carefully loaded the tree in a trailer and drove it up for me. My mom and dad rode with me in my car.

Clint rigged up a pretty good system to get the tree there. He had it suspended with pipes and rope so it never laid flat on its side. I was amazed that not a single thing fell off the tree. I must have done a great wiring job to manage that feat.

The festival provided giant rolling carts to get everything from the unloading area to my tree spot. Of course I unknowingly grabbed a cart with a flat tire. Oh well. It was loaded and we were taking it!

Here's our spot! Anthony and Clint unloaded it, centered it and made a few adjustments. I had to re-fluff everything and make a few adjustments. It traveled a lot better than I thought it would!

Here I am! Just adding some final things on the tree. See the scary mannequin on the right side of me? That thing was terrifying!! I told my mom to make sure she got it in the picture. It's supposed to be the virgin Mary holding baby Jesus.

It goes to the lucky (insert sarcasm here) person who gets the winning bid on this tree.

I'm sorry but it's CREEPY!!

Argh! Baby Jesus' face is peeling off!

Lots and lots of people setting up.

 

Here's my tree! Still in the works but getting there.

My dad became my personal wire cutter.

There it is! Done!

Look how close it is to the creepy mannequin Mary. Eeeeewwww....

A view from the side.

My mom and dad with our Wesley Tree.

All finished and ready to leave.

Whew! A lot of work but I'm happy with how it turned out.

Tree Progress...

I worked on my tree for Festival of Trees yesterday and today. I took some pictures along the way to show its progress.

Here are some of my piles of ornaments and decorations.

I divided all of the little forest critters into similar piles. Yep. They're all going on the tree.

 I started by wiring in all of the floral bunches and birds nests. This took quite a while. It's a good thing I had a lot of Christmas music loaded on my iPod.

This picture is a little blurry but all of the big bunches have fun pheasant feathers poking out of them.

I like how much fuller all of bunches make the tree look.

Here's one of the birds nests bunches. The nest is just above the pine cones.

So here's a picture of the tree before any of the bunches were wired in...

and here's the after. Keep in mind, the tree has to be decorated all of the way around. There is no front or back. Trust me... that's a lot of wiring things in! My fingertips are numb!!

Part of the tree entry rules say that any ornament has to have its top glued onto it so it doesn't separate and break during the delivery. So... I had to take the top off each one, glue it, put it back on and then wire it onto the tree. It was a lot of extra steps.

There it is on the tree!

A glimpse of a few of the felt ornaments.

Ken came down to where I was working to check on me. This ornament is his contribution to the tree. He glued it and wired it on himself. And no, I didn't move it. It's still there.

More progress...

 Another blurry picture... 

I decided to add these Christmas signs into the tree. They're on a stretched canvas and have little mountain scenes and quotes on them. They're going to be spread all around the tree, tucked into the branches and wired in. I'm adding gold ribbon to each to help make it look finished. This picture shows approximately where the signs will be.

Here are two of the 12 signs wired in and finished.

The tree is looking more and more finished. My mom and dad came down tonight to see how the tree looked. My dad talked me into stopping where I was and finishing everything tomorrow morning at the festival venue. I really wanted to get it all done tonight but I decided to call it quits. I can finish tomorrow. I'll have to readjust everything once the tree is moved - loading it in a trailer and driving it around is going to shift things and make it look less than perfect.

Did I tell you the tree topper is a rusty snowflakey-star thing? I like it. It seems like it fits in with the woodsy theme to me.

This is my older brother Clint. He isn't too thrilled with me right now. His job is to get my tree where it needs to go in one piece. He came to the warehouse tonight to scope out the tree. He wishes it wasn't decorated - or even put together for that matter.

Tomorrow is decorating day. I'll go up with the tree, make all of my finishing touches and then turn it over to Primary Children's Medical Center. I'll take more pictures, of course! For now, I'm off to bed.