Happy Thursday, everyone!
Thursday is the best, isn’t it? Ohhh, I love.
I just made up the line “Thursday Thoughts.” (At least I think I made it up.) And I thought I was so clever I gave myself a pat on the back. The creativity is just running wild over here.
So this post is a bit of a random mish-mash of things.
Just some recent thoughts of mine for you to mingle over as you ease into Friday (let’s throw our hands up in the hair and praise the LORD!).
Here we go…
1. This is my new jam.
It makes for such good driving music. And blogging music. And keep-me-feeling-happy music.
The whole album is currently on repeat in my car.
It’s good, guys. Real good.
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2. Did I tell you my parents came to Boston last weekend? Our time was swell.
We did some eating, some book shopping, and mostly a lot of just being together. Which is the best kind of visit.
My dad is watching the Syracuse game in that last picture. In the restaurant. On an iPhone.
What can I say? The guy’s addicted. Can’t help but love him.
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3. This week was a 3-day week at school for the kids. Why do those weeks always seem to drag on the longest? Right? I can see you shaking your head yes. What is it about them?
Tuesday we had a professional development day at school. We had a keynote speaker in the morning that was absolutely fantastic. He talked all about how we as teachers can help set the tone for our classroom in terms of motivation and resilience.
It’s about creating a positive classroom environment.
A safe place where children can grow and learn and take risks and make mistakes.
All without ever having to worry that they won’t be accepted. Or told they’re wrong.
It was very powerful for me and helped me think about how I can make sure my classroom is a welcoming, nourishing, safe place. For all of my kids, but especially the ones that don’t have a lot. The ones that struggle at home or have a low self esteem. It’s these kids I need to reach the most.
Because it only takes one person to believe in a child to change their life. To give them strength. To give them courage. And if I can be that person, that teacher, that is when I will have done my job.
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4. I know I’m not alone out there with my love for Downton Abbey.
Really, how terrific is that show?
When I am watching this show I am reminded of my love for Titanic (oh, Leo), but I am also brought back to my childhood and Anne of Green Gables and Avonlea. Oh, how I wish I could be part of those times! Dresses and horses and petticoats and tea and biscuits.
The characters on Downton Abbey just came into my life by storm and now have a most special place in my heart.
Lady Mary!
BATES! ANNA!
My friend Clair had a fun post earlier this week all about Downton Abbey recipes. It made me smile and made me hungry too. I’ll take some of those crepes suzette, please. I was drooling in that episode.
Do you watch it too?
(Also, sidenote to my HWS friends: Who thinks Lady Mary is Marissa Greechan’s other twin (besides Dana)?????????? Can I get a heck YES. I can’t get over it. Every single episode I just can’t get over it.)
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5. Blog Friends DINNER!
We did it!
Clair and Mackenzie and I finally got together!
We stayed at Veggie Galaxy for 2 hours and talked all sorts of wonderful things. We talked blogs. And twitter. And blogging and more blogging. And stolen bikes and our love for long rides on the T. And children’s books. We all have a special place in our heart for children’s books. This is ultimately how we found each other’s blogs and how we can now call each other soul sisters.
This is my favorite part about blogging.
FAVORITE.
Making connections. Making friends.
It just makes me happy.
SO very happy.
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One thing that stuck with me from last night is how Mackenzie so perfectly described blogging as reading/writing a letter to a friend. It’s so true. And then this morning I was thinking, of course. That’s how my blog name came to be in the first place, after all. How could I forget?
And so, friend. I wish you a happy one. A very happy Thursday, indeed. ♥
Good thing my cousin just got Netflix, then. Downtown Abbey is on there! Apparently, I need to watch, eh? (No, I’m not Canadian.)
I always love seeing when blog friends get together. I hope one day I can meet some of the people whose blogs I read and love. Yours is one of my new favorites. :) I love the whole letter theme. I love writing letters. I don’t really care to who, as long as I like them, unless I have something to tell them off about, lol. But I’ve never written that kind of letter to date. I prefer to write nice ones.
It’s nice that you care so much about your kids. I wish all teachers were like that. I remember how disappointing it was in high school to see a teacher just totally not care to help their students, but most of the ones I had, if not all of them, had a good relationship with their kids, and being that I’d been one of those downtrodden, low self-esteem types, I can empathize with wanting a person of authority to make me believe in myself. I didn’t get that until my senior year of high school, and it wasn’t even from a teacher, it was a cousin I’d met for the first time, and now she’s my best friend. But it would’ve been nice to have that one teacher I felt like I could go to for things.
Good luck with your students, and I hope you get more blog-friend hang-outs soon! Oh, and happy Downtown Abbey watching. I’ll catch up one day. :)
Yes, Lauren– put Downton Abbey in your “must-watch-soon” list!! SO GOOD!!
And I’m so glad you had someone to help you believe in yourself. Even if it wasn’t a teacher. My wish is that all kids out there can find someone, anyone who can help them become the best person they can be. So lucky also that your person is now your best friend. :)
This post makes me so full of happy I just feel like barfing rainbows all over my monitor! =)))
Really great wrap up…love every piece. It’s so lovely to see your parents…they look like sweet and happy people. And don’t we all just have a special place in our hearts for your dad after that photo-a-day post?!
Great pic of us. Can’t wait to do it again. ;-)
Well, I was totally barfing sunshine while writing this post, so it’s quite alright.
HA. HA. HA.
:)
Such a perfect week :) How is Veggie Galaxy?? It’s literally a minute’s walk from my old apartment and of course it opened right after I moved out!
It was so good Emily!! I’m not a vegetarian, but I really enjoyed the food!
WHAT IS THIS DOWNTON ABBEY BUSINESS! it seems like it is everywhere! is it on hulu? should i bypass it entirely so as to not get too addicted and not finish my school work ?! you got me at the anne of green gables reference. and this post was so so sweet :) it made me smile from start to finish.
it’s not really like anne of green gables, but i KNOW that you would love it to the MOON!!!
1912-1917, British countryside, Lords and Ladys, and a whole glimpse into the servants quarters. The drama in this show is amazing. SO GOOD.
Love number 3.
What a great round-up of a perfect week! Your Dad is too cute; seriously!
What is this Downton Abbey..never heard of it.
lol
It’s really wonderful!
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/downtonabbey/
You can catch up on season 1 on instant Netflix! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
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