Tuesday...Last Post Before Break

So...are you ready for break???  I am SO ready for break.  If you know anything about me, you know I'm always on the go, always have a million things going on, involved in several organizations, etc.  I'm going on a public service hiatus until Jan 1.  Don't ask me to plan a pancake breakfast, don't ask me to work on the whatever committee, don't ask me to spearhead a fundraiser...not until Jan 1st.  I have an entire list of things I plan to watch while on break.  I'm not going to fib, I sort of want to be a hermit for two weeks.  

What are you looking most forward to over break?

Here's today's Christmas song of the day...courtesy of Tyler Brody's request.

Monday! Home Stretch....`

One more week...we can do this!  

How was your weekend?  Busy, but fun.  Didn't get as much as I wanted done, but I was productive!  

How are you doing on your December Advent of Kindness calendar??  As of today, I've completed day 1, 2,3, 4, 6, 12, 14, 15, 17.  I haven't managed the "do something kind for yourself" ones yet.  I've bought myself a few things...but I'm not sure that counts.  I'm thinking that might have to wait until break.  How about you?

Today's Christmas song....

Feel Good Friday!

Happy Friday!  

I'm out on the Bobcat Pride field trip today, which is one of my "FGF" highlights.  This field trip is probably my favorite one we do each year.  We are helping out a great organization that assists families who are struggling.  It's a "feel good" and also a bit of a reality check for us at the same time. 

My 6th grade son is going to his first school dance today.  It's after school from 2:40-4:30, which I think is completely adorable.  He took a shower last night AND got a haircut, so I suppose that's a win. 

I MUST get some Christmas shopping done this weekend!  

Basketball and hockey are on the agenda this weekend.  Maybe I'll even bake something? I should probably put some ornaments on my tree?  Tree is up and lights are on it.....

What are you feeling good about today?

Be good for Mr. Schwarberg!

Wordy Wednesday!

How many words can you find?

Tasty Tuesday.....Christmas Cookies!

Favorite Christmas Cookie??

Mine...Cranberry Kisses.  Sort of like the peanut butter kiss cookies, but no peanut butter.  It's got cranberries in it and a Hershey kiss on top.

Monday! How was your weekend?

How was your weekend??

I finally think things have calmed down.  It's been crazy since Thanksgiving between getting all my basketball teams up and running, hosting dinners, organizing the booth for the Homewood Holiday Lights festival,  and lastly, coordinating all the gifts for the family our organization adopted.  You guys...I'm so excited!  We adopted a family of seven.  A mom and her six kids.  We loaded them up with gifts!  I'm super excited to deliver these today to the South Suburban Family Shelter.   

I was super braggy on Friday about how I was going to spend my whole day Sunday in my PJ's, doing all of my catch-up work, grading, etc.  Unfortunately, that didn't happen.  I spend my entire day yesterday shopping, wrapping and coordinating all the gifts for the family we adopted.  I sat down for the first time at 8:30 last night and closed my eyes for a quick second.  You know how this ends, right?  

So...today is a "don't bother me unless something is on fire" kind of day.  You do your work and I'll do mine! 

Wait...today's Christmas song of the day...

Happy Friday!  What are you feeling good about today???

• I'm only here for a half day today.  Tonight is the Holiday Lights festival in Homewood.  St. Joe's Athletic Association will have a booth selling hot cider and baked goods, along with a Reindeer Food station for the littles.  It's going to be FREEZING, but it will be fun!  
• We're picking up our tree tonight!  I LOVE the smell of a fresh tree!
• Hockey up north over the weekend, so that means a trip to IKEA
• NOTHING GOING ON SUNDAY!  (I think this is what I'm most excited about!) I'm not getting out of my PJ's.  I'm going to make a big pot of soup, grade papers, do a bunch of online shopping, and have the groceries delivered!  

Here's today's Christmas song!  It's super cheesy, but it always reminds me of my grandpa.  He was a soft spoken man, but he LOVED this song and used to sing it to my grandma during the holidays.  I always thought it was really funny as a kid.

Today's Christmas Song!

Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)

I'm a big fan of doing things for others.  I saw this the other day and while I know it's already the 6th, I really like this.  Take a look at it.  Much of it is just being a good person.  Will you play along? 

Today's is donate a Christmas presnt to charity.  You know how you can do that?  Just donate some socks to the NHS sock drive.  We can go back to the 1st.  Give someone a hug or compliment!  Easy!

So...this holiday season, I challenge you.  If you partake in this, keep track for me.  Turn in what you've done on the 21st and I'll throw some points your way.  Be specific, though. 

Wordy Wednesday

Christmas Song of the Day...

Grievance Tuesday!

So....it's a grievance day.  Mine has to do with McDonald's.  I'll elaborate in person.

How about you?  What's your grievance today???

Feel Good Friday!

Happy Friday!

The above is accurate.  It's been a crazy week and I'm SPENT! I'm so happy it's FRIDAY!  Here's what I'm feeling good about...

November 29th is over!  I had three different big event things last night that I was running.  I'm glad that's behind me.  I had a bit of anxiety about it all working out. My house looks like a bomb went off, but I'll take care of that after school.

No school Monday.  I mean, I have to be here, but it's generally an easy day.

Birthday party with neighborhood friends tomorrow night!

What about you??  What are you feeling good about today?

Today's Holiday Song of the Day....

Wordy Wednesday!

Today's Christmas song of the day....

How many words can you find?

Favorite Christmas Song?

Since it's officially the Holiday season, it's totally OK to play Christmas music 24/7.  What's your fave Christmas song?

It's super hard not to say "All I Want For Christmas" from Mariah, but it seems so cliche'.  How do you not sing along to it, though????

But...if we are going with the classics, "The Christmas Song" by Nat King Cole is probably my all-time favorite.

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire......

What about you???

Whoo Hoo....It's almost like a Thursday!

Happy Monday....and I only say happy because it's kind of technically our Thusday.  Two day week this week!

With Thanksgiving this week, it's all about the food.  What are you most looking forward to?

Turkey?
Stuffing?
GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE?? (my fave)
Dessert?


What's your fave thing about Thanksgiving dinner?

Feel Good Friday!

Happy Friday!  I don't know about you, but I'm SO happy the weekend is here! Today I'm feeling good about.....

I'm down to one kid at home until Sunday.  Oldest is at Snowball, which is a three night thing that HF does every year at Camp Manitoqua in Frankfort.  

It's Settler's Day weekend.  One of my personal nerdy fun facts is that I get a bit geeked up about reenactments.  Settler's Day isn't war-based, but it focuses on the first settlers in the area.  It's always the Sunday before Thanksgiving and I've been going to it since I was a kid.  Apparently, my parents were geeks for that kind of thing, too.  

I'm also feeling good about the fact that I'm THISCLOSE to getting all of my basketball stuff done.  I'm the athletic director for my church and we have 5 teams that have their first games in a couple of weeks.  I've been busy registering people, getting coaches in compliance with the Archdiocese of Chicago, getting uniforms fitted, etc.  I'll be happy once the season is officially underway...then things just sort of run themselves.

Lastly, but not least important....we only have TWO days next week!!!!!  

What else?  What are you feeling good about today??? 

Are YOU in the Holiday Spirit?

Are you in the holiday spirit?  I'm a firm believer that the Christmas season begins after you take your last bite of pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving.  That's when we usually head over to Target to get our early Black Friday shopping on.  I won't decorate anything in my house for Christmas until after Thanksgiving, but I'll admit...I've been listening to Christmas music on 93.9 since it started last week.  I'm ready!   How about you??

Wordy Wednesday!

4 Day Week! How was your long weekend?

Happy Tuesday!

How was your weekend?

Nick's 12th birthday party at the bowling alley took up my Saturday....

Sunday was lazy.  I spent the day in my recliner grading papers and doing St. Joe's basketball work.  

My kids had school yesterday, so my husband took the day off and we went to downtown Naperville to do some shopping and have lunch. 

Feel Good Friday!

Happy Friday!  It's SNOWING!

I hardly feel like the snow outside represents the scene in my Bitmoji...but it's cute...and it's Friday...and I feel good about it!

Today I'm feeling good that the next two weeks are partial weeks.  

No school Monday!

Birthday party for my youngest tomorrow - Bowling!

My aunt (Auntie Pam!) got me one of those sweatshirt/blanket things.  She's a bit addicted to QVC.  Anyhoo...I'm looking forward to spending my weekend in that thing!  It's SOOOOOO cozy!

What are you feeling good about today?  

Tasty Tuesday!

Can you cook?  What's your specialty?  What can you ROCK at making?  Are you a beast at making Ramen?  :)

I think I'm a fairly decent cook.  I make killer Jambalaya. 

Monday!

Yo!  How was your weekend?  Do anything fun?

Friday we celebrated my younger son's birthday.  He turned 12 on Saturday, but he went away for the weekend for another birthday party.  

Saturday wound up being an impromptu date night for Mr. Cal and I, as I scored SUPER CHEAP tickets to see Jo Koy at a sold out show at the Chicago Theatre downtown.  He is HILARIOUS!  Check him out if you have the chance!  

St. Joe's Basketball kicks off tonight with open gym....so it's officially basketball season in the Cal household.

How about you?  Tell me about your weekend!

Feel Good Friday!

Happy Friday, Everyone!  What are you feeling good about today?

Tomorrow is my son's 12th birthday.
NO sporting events to attend this weekend.  Not that I don't like going to them.  It's just one less thing on the agenda, so that's always good!
Hanging out with my girlfriends on Sunday.  Going to an artisan market and then to a fundraiser.

How about you?  What are you feeling good about?

Wordy Thursday

Happy Halloween!

Boo!  

What's your fave costume you ever wore?\

I was a box of popcorn one year.  I remember making the costume with my dad.  It was a big box and we painted it white and put red stripes on it.  Then we popped a bunch of popcorn and glued it to the top.  I had a fresh perm with blond hair at the time, so my hair looked like popcorn, too.  It was cute!

Tasty Tuesday - Halloween!

Trick or Treat!  What's your favorite Halloween treat to get in your bag?

I generally steal Swedish Fish and Dots out of my kid's bag.  

What's your fave?

Today is also a Catch Up Day!

Monday, Sub Day!

Hey!  As you can see, I'm not there today.  I had earmarked yesterday to hunker down and get a ton of stuff done....grading, basketball league stuff, P-State dual credit professor stuff, etc.  I was sick yesterday, though....down for the count...and didn't get any of it done.  I'm working from home today.  If you need anything, email me. I'll be around.

Today.....Be good for the sub!!!!!

Multimedia - Blog/CNN. I'm giving you an extra day for your articles, but you are going to have to turn them in on Google Classroom.  This should keep you all busy today, as I don't really think many of you have finished these.  Tomorrow when I'm back, we will start the design portion of the project.  If you are finished with everything, choose an image you'd like to use for your magazine cover.

Yearbook - Blog/CNN - We are going to start the new book this week!  Find something quiet to work on once CNN is over.

Entrepreneurship - Blog/CNN.  The rest of your assignment is in Google Classroom.

See you guys tomorrow.  Be good and do your work!

Feel Good Friday!

Yo!  It's FRIDAY!  What are you feeling good about?

Volleyball game today...I'm hoping we raise a bunch of money for Respond Now!
Both of my kids have parties to go to tonight, so date night with Mr. Cal
Won our Fall Ball playoff game last night, so we play another game tomorrow
Haunted Hallway with a vanload of 11 year old boys tomorrow night
Hockey game on Sunday

Busy, but super fun weekend.

How about you?  

Luxury?

Happy Thursday!  

So, I talk about this all the time, but I listen to a lot of different podcasts.  On Thursday mornings, I always listen to Royally Obsessed.  It's like one of those guilty pleasures.  It's two girls, Kaitlyn and Lisa...and they talk about all things royal.  I love it!  

This morning's episode talked about all the fun, different outfits Meghan Markle (Prince Harry's wife) is wearing on their current trip/tour of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, etc.  This got me thinking...how awesome would it be to have someone just shop for me and plan all of my outfits every day?!  Personal stylist.  LOVE it!

What about you?  What would be your luxury?

Wordy Wednesday!

Tasty Tuesday!

Happy Tuesday!  

Signature Sandwich!  If a restaurant in town was going to name a sandwich after you, what would be on it??  What is YOUR favorite sandwich....

Mine?  Salami, sliced Italian green olives, and Italian dressing on a roll. YUM!!!

What about you?

1/2 Day Monday!

Hey! Half day today!  Yay!  (all that rhymed!)

I like half days.  Even though I don't get to go home like you guys, I often get some free time to get things done.  Today isn't filled with a bunch of meetings.  Just one, which I feel will be relatively brief!

What do you plan to do with your half day today?

Wordy Wednesday!

Favorite Movie Tuesday!

So....one of my ALL-TIME favorite movies in the world is About Last Night.  The original one that was released in 1986.  It's not so much that it's a great movie.  It's more about the memories it holds of my high school days, etc.  My "tribe" in HS could recite this movie from start to finish and would (and still do) quote this movie over and over.  My wedding song is from this movie :)  This morning, I saw on FB that there will be a special screening in Chicago along with a Q&A with the writers.  I think I need to go.

Do you have a favorite movie you could recite from start to finish?  If not, tell me about one of your favorite movies.

Monday, Monday!

How was your weekend?  Do anything fun?

Mine was rather uneventful.  Graded papers, watched Gilmore Girls, did laundry, grocery shopped, baseball game (win!), hockey game (win!), went out for pizza and over to a friend's house for the Hawks game on Saturday night.  Nothing overly exciting. This was my weekend....replace the soccer ball!

I'm the Athletic Director for my church's basketball program and I have a ton of things to finalize to get our season started AND I'm running a BINGO night on Thursday for our church youth group, so it's a busy week with lots to accomplish!  

Tell me about your weekend?  Are you ready for  EQA's? 

Feel Good Friday!

Happy Happy FRIDAY!!!

What are you feeling good about today?

It's cold outside.  I'm not sure how I feel about that.  I'm not a huge fan of going from summer to winter in a matter of two days.  I'd like some fall?  Next week it's supposed to be somewhat nicer, but I think we've seen the last of our really nice days.  :(

Both of my kids have plans tonight.  If you're looking for something fun to do, Chicago Heights Park District does this fun Haunted Trail thing at their golf course across from P-State.  I think it's like $7 or something like that and they take you through on a golf cart.  We go most years.

Or...if you want a haunted house, Haunted Hills Hospital in Lake Station, IN (sort of by the beach?) is supposed to be really good.  Friends of ours own it.  I have discount coupons, so see me if you want one.

Baseball and hockey on the agenda for the Cal family this weekend.  Beyond that, not much! 

Have a great weekend!

Wordy Thursday!

147 Solves

Tuesday - Another Short Week!

Welcome Back!  Did you have a good FOUR day weekend?  Ours was busy!  P/T conferences Thursday night and Friday morning, I busted my youngest out of school early on Friday so we could do some wedding clothes shopping, HF hockey game Friday night (WIN!), road trip to southern Indiana for a wedding on Saturday, road trip back home on Sunday, and yesterday we ran errands all day (we have muffins!), and then had our good-bye dinner with my in-laws who are leaving in the morning to drive back to Arizona for the winter.  We won't see them again until May.   I'm tired....

Baseball game tonight and some St. Joe's stuff (I'm the Athletic Director for my church).  

How about you?  Tell me about your weekend!

Here is a pic from the wedding this weekend.  It was held at Brown County State Park in Nashville, IN.  SO PRETTY!!!

Wordy Wednesday

180 Solves - How many can you find?

Hostess Cupcake for today's winner!

This or That Tuesday

Pancakes or Waffles?

Ice Cream or FroYo?

Sweet or Savory?

Early Brunch or Late Night Bite?

Nuggets or Fries?

Grilled Cheese or Mac N Cheese?

Take Out or Dine In?

Smoothie or Milkshake?

Pizza or Tacos?

I'm Out Today....Be Good!

Hey, everyone! I'm calling this one in from under a blanket, with a box of kleenex, in my recliner.  

Mrs. O is there for me today.  I felt like I was fighting something last week.  Started with a cough.  Saturday night I sneezed twice and no joke, within 10 minutes I felt like death!  I was down for the count.  So..I'm home sick today.  I should be back tomorrow.  

So..how was your weekend?   I hope you had a great weekend.  It was so nice seeing so many of you all dressed up at the dance on Friday!  How was the rest of your weekend?  Good?  Tell me!

Also, here is the plan for today...

Multimedia 1 -  Subway art is due today.  Turn it in as a PDF in Classroom.
Yearbook - See if you can print off your pages you were assigned.  Look them over.  I'll discuss tomorrow when I'm back.
Business Management - Finish taking your test today.  

Bobcat Pride kiddos in my first hour - you will likely get pulled by Mr. LaBanca to help take down the rest of the dance decorations.  

Be good for Mrs. O!  I'll be back tomorrow!

Blogs DUE TODAY!

No real blog post today, but I want to do a blog check today.  There is an assignment posted in Google Classroom to post a link to your blog. 

Remember - Student News Quiz tomorrow!

Wordy Wednesday!

TV Tuesday!

New TV starts this week.  Do you watch specific TV shows?  What do you watch?  Are you excited for a new season of any shows?

Me?  I don't watch much TV, but I'm loyal to a few shows...

Survivor - I LOVE this show, even though it's probably older than you all..haha!
Below Deck!  I think the new season started a couple of weeks ago, but I'm still catching up on the Below Deck Med reunion show.

How about you?

1/2 Day Today! Yay!

Easy day for us here in the Beech!  I love half days. I don't get an actual half day, but the teachers get to go out for lunch and I'm generally really productive on half days.  And let me tell you....I need to be productive this week.  Lots to keep up with!

Weekend was good.  Sorta chill.  We spent a bunch of money last weekend and we are headed out of town again next weekend for a wedding.  Need to keep expenses in check.  

Birthday was fine.  Nothing fancy.  Went out for breakfast, went to church, baseball tryouts, napped, graded papers, did laundry...you know, the basic Sunday stuff.

How about you?  How was your weekend?  Are you doing anything with your half day?

Thursday - Gold Stars/Demerits

This has been a LLLLOOOOONNNNNNGGGGGG week!!! 

I really wanted to do a Grievance Thursday, as there is lots of things that's firing me up this morning, but that's just not healthy...two weeks of grievances is no bueno.  We need to keep our positive pants on!  

So gold stars/demerits it is!  Brag on yourself (gold star) or call yourself out and say "I suck" (demerit).  Which one are you picking?  Why??\

I think I'm going to give myself a demerit this time around.  I have something I've been meaning to do for about 5 months.  It's just ording some t-shirts.  I can't manage to get it done.  I just need to pick a font and place the stupid order.  I really need to do it.  Today??  Maybe you boys can help me out?  It's for a group of 11-12 year old boy baseball players.  Boy font?  Is that a thing?  Help!

Wordy Wednesday!

Tuesday 9/18

How's it going today?  I got a good night sleep, so all is well with me.  Although, I had a bit of a freak out this morning.  I thought I forgot my glasses at home.  That sent me into a complete panic!  I legit can't see much beyond about 2 ft in front of me.  I have prescription sunglasses and when I went digging for my normal glasses when I got in my room this morning, they weren't in my purse. That sent me into a complete panic! Fortunately, they were in my car.  Whew!  

What sends you into a complete panic??

It's Just Another Manic Monday.....

Whew....what a whirlwind weekend!  I'M. SO. TIRED.  It's only 7:46 in the morning and I'm already thinking about my next nap.  I had a super fun weekend, but it's all caught up to me.  The Bears are on tonight, so the boys in my house will be focused on the game.  I can curl up in my bed nice and early and watch some Below Deck Med.  I can't wait!

How was your weekend? Tell me all about it!

Feel Good Friday!

Good Morning!  Greetings from downtown Indianapolis!  

What are you feeling good about today??

Y'all know what I'm feeling good about!  I'm on a mini-vaca with friends and driving the rest of the way to Nashville this morning.  WITHOUT. MY. KIDS.  Parent win!

How about you???

Grievance Thursday!

It's Grievance Thursday!  Time to air your grievances!

Here's what's bothering me today.....

People on 394 drive like @$#%@#$%^@$#.  I am not a timid driver and I'm generally going over the speed limit.  If I'm offended by the way people drive, then it's completely legit.  

I have tons more, but I don't want to flood you with my negativity. :)  I'll wait until the next Grievance Thursday for that!

Wordy Wednesday!

No idea how many solves for this one.  I closed out of the tab before finding out.  

YOYO (You're On Your Own)

Pizza! Pizza!

It's cleaning lady day in the Cal house.  My rule on cleaning lady day is that I don't cook.  I want my kitchen clean for at least a day!  So....we will order pizza tonight.  

What do you like on your pizza?  

Personally, I'm a pepperoni and black olive kind of girl.  However, nobody else in my family shares my passion for olives.  I only get that when we make pizza at home.  Tonight, I suspect, will be sausage.  Maybe from Aurelio's?  

Mindset Monday

"All things are difficult, until they are easy" - Thomas Fuller

What's one CHALLENGE you hope to OVERCOME this week?  

So....we're leaving Thursday after school for Nashville.  Mr. Cal, myself, and four other couples.  Can't wait.  It's going to be SUPER fun!  However, my in-laws will be coming to stay at my house with the boys while we are gone.  NOT super amped about that.  My MIL has NO boundaries, so I need to make sure my house is MIL-proofed (kind of like baby-proofing, but for nosey adults).  It's also a pretty busy week in my house, so it will for sure be a challenge!

But....the reward.....I get to go away for the weekend!  To Nashville.  Without my kids.  With other adults.  So....it will be worth it!

How about you?  Tell me about a challenge you hope 
to overcome this week? 

P.S.  I re-did my Bitmoji.  I'm not a fan.  I need to add that to my list.  I don't think it looks like me at all.  ugh.

It's Monday!

Hey, Everyone!  It's Monday!  How was your weekend?  Mine was busy!  Mostly good stuff.

Turnabout tickets go on sale TODAY!  Are you going?  Tommy Bocek?  Are you going?  My friend, Miss Maggie has a question for you.........

Feel Good Friday!

Happy Friday, Y'All!  Lots going on this weekend in the Cal house.  Some good, some not so good.

It's HoCo in the HoFlo.  Game is tonight.  My son is a sophomore at HF and I'm beyond bummed that he's not going to the dance tomorrow, but it appears none of the boys are going.  He and his tribe are having a "Stay-Homecoming" at one of his buddies houses, so he'll still have fun.  

I have to go to two wakes this weekend.  No fun.  The gentleman who took his life on the Metra tracks on Tuesday in Homewood was the father of one of my son's friends.  It's been a rough week.  If you're the praying or good-vibe sending type of person, send some to the Spencer family.  They need it.

And since you're sending good thoughts, send one over to my friend Crystal today as well.  She went in this morning for brain surgery.  She has a HUGE brain tumor.  Doctors are pretty confident it's benign, but it still requires surgery.  So, send her some good juju, too!

On to the good stuff.....
Baseball starts up again in the Cal house!  Yay!  I think I love Fall Ball even better than regular season ball. 
 
Neighbors are having a taco party tomorrow night.  
The youth group I'm in charge of meets for the first time this year on Sunday.
Friends are having a Bears/Packers party Sunday night.  

Busy weekend....
How about you?? What are you feeling good about today?

Would You Rather?

Would you rather live on a beach?  or in a cabin in the woods?

No brainer.  Beach.  Have you met me?  I'm not at all interested in woods, or cabins, or bears, or other wilderness-y type things.  I'm a beach girl.

Wordy Wednesday!

183 Solves

How many can you find?