The First of Eleven Questions

While trying to make sure I understood how to use NuNatruals Oat Fiber, I ran across 11 Things Every Woman Should Write Down Before The Year Ends on Oprah's website. Don't ask- sometimes my internet searches end up being a lot like my brain activity and no one can understand that.

Anyway, I was curious and decided that I would try to write these down.

Today's post covers the first question: What younger you would like about present you.

I suppose that depends on how much younger me. If we're talking about the elementary me, I would say she likes that I try to be fun/funny in the classroom. Not all the time, but I do try to put some things across with humor and as simply as possible. Why? Because kids remember lessons better when those lessons are presented in a humorous and/or shortandsweet way. If a teacher drones on and on and on and on, the kids have tuned him/her out within minutes. If the material is presented in an upbeat manner with a little humor, some movement and opportunities for discussion, students will be focused for a much longer period of time and they are more likely to actually learn the material as well as apply it.

If we're talking about the middle schoolish years me, I would say she doesn't like anything about me because she's of that age where she doesn't like anything about anyone. Do y'all remember those years?

My high school me would probably like that I was not a strict disciplinarian to the lovelies when they were growing up- even during their teen years. She would like that I listened and understood and put consequences into perspective instead of doling out harsh punishments where they were not needed. For example, when the end result of the action was such that it taught a lesson, that was punishment enough. She would like that I gave each of the lovelies two free cuts from school every school year just in case they needed a break. (Funny, not one of them ever cashed in on those free cuts.)

My young adult self would like that I am teaching and enjoying it instead of sitting at home every day.Though she would want me to go out more in a social way. Because that's what she did all the time. You know, college and all that.

My parenting self would like that I stayed home to raise the lovelies even with all the financial sacrifices.Though she would agree that the time went by too fast.

Ok, I might have gone off on a tangent or two on this one but, y'all get the point.

Now, share what your younger selves would like about the present you.

To Be Someone Else Or Not

Sometimes teachers give students a prompt for their daily journal entries. I remember one that a teacher gave years ago that crosses my mind every so often. It read:

"If you could wake up as someone else tomorrow morning, who would it be and why."

That question would have brought different responses from me through the years. And what better day to reflect on this than on my 50-something birthday???? And no. I'm not going to fill in the 'something' part with a number. ;)

When I was young, I probably would have said I would want to wake up as my older cousin. I always thought she was so perfect- blonde hair, long and straight; a pianist extraordinaire from a young age; always happy; loved by all.

As I grew older, I might have said one of my friend's teenaged sister. When we were in junior high (called middle school now), we held those high school girls in high esteem. They did the coolest things! They had slumber parties and played songs like "Will You Marry Me, Bill" and wore baby doll pjs and danced and talked about boys and rolled their hair in those big orange juice cans.

During my teen years, I probably thought being someone from history would be great- from the beginning of the American colonies, or during the Civil War era because I was a total history buff and even started college as a history major. (Until I tool Dr. Webb's class---wowza, he was tough and I ran from that department speedy quick. Trust me, NO ONE wants to think that hard about anything. Ever.).

There were times in my life that I would have loved to have awoken as anybody else but myself and times I would have loved to have awoken as myself only older.

Now, I might not be packaged in the exact form I'd like to be packaged in, but I do like the inside. Not only do I like who I am, I'm actually glad that I am who I am.

• I'm thrilled that I don't care who agrees or disagrees with me. 
• I'm delighted that I don't care why anyone agrees or disagrees with me.
• I'm happy that I don't need/want anyone's approval/affirmation.
• I'm proud of the fact that I act on my own without allowing outside influences. 

It took me a long time to get to this place. But I'm here. And I'm loving it!

What's your favorite thing about the age you are now? 

The Best of 2012

Can you narrow down your memories of last year to only one that is the best? Not me. There were just too many good memories in our family.

We had birthdays- those glorious days when the lovelies were born. Those four days that made my life so full and rich and happy. Breezy turned 27 in January; Deanie turned 25 in April; Birdie turned 24 in October; and DoodleBug turned 21! Of course, the husband and I got older too, but we won't go into that.

• Birdie moved back from Texas and got to go to London.
• DoodleBug started her senior year in college
• Our nephew and his sweet wife had a baby
• I started working at the elementary school the lovelies attended
• My dad completed his radiation and is doing well AND he got to go on a European vacay.
• Everyone was together for Christmas.

Sure, there were some bleak times. But we made it through and, I hope, we are all the wiser/stronger for having the experiences. Though I hope not to have similar experiences again. EVER.

Besides, I'd much rather dwell on the good/happy/fun times.

As we face the New Year, none of us know what to expect. But we can be filled with the hope that 2013 will be a good year...no, a GREAT year. OUR year. THE year.

A year full of miracles; positivity; love; laughter; peace; happiness; good times...

A year to beat all years. A year to grow and learn and experience.

Wishing all of you your best year yet!