Eyes on the Prize

Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.

Henry Ford (1863 – 1947)
Founder of the Ford Motor Company, father of
modern assembly lines used in mass production

Common Sense of Humor

Common sense and a sense of humor are the same thing, moving at different speeds. A sense of humor is just common sense, dancing.

William James (1842 - 1910)
Pioneering American psychologist, philosopher and medical doctor

It is Well

Remember that happiness is a
way of travel, not a destination.

Roy Goodman (1930 - ) American politician

Well, if yesterday was a way of travel, it would have been the "your flight is canceled - we've lost your luggage - the seats are full, you'll be in the trunk- we've seated four screaming babies on all sides of your seat - your credit card has been denied - we've lost your reservation - please buckle your seat belt, as we're experiencing hurricane-like turbulence - even the flat tire went flat" kind of travel day.

Thank goodness it was Ash Wednesday, which of course, brought me to an evening church service. Seated next to Marie in an absolutely packed sanctuary, I was reminded of what the big picture really looks like. There was a stunning cello player who, teamed with our amazing organist, presented the kind of calm I was desperately seeking. Brahms, Fauré, Chopin - their melodies filled the sanctuary and created a mood somber enough to begin Lent, yet hopeful enough for the coming Easter. Worshipping in the company of good friends and good music always seems to make things well with my soul.

Building Character

Pretty sure this applies to the first 30 years of my life...

People grow through experience if they
meet life honestly and courageously.
This is how character is built.

Eleanor Roosevelt (1884 - 1962)
First Lady, diplomat, activist

Too busy? Whatever do you mean?

I'm sensing a theme to this week's quotes... Speaking of success,
let's take a look at Mr. Thoreau's busy life!

Success usually comes to those
who are too busy to be looking for it.

Henry David Thoreau (1817 - 1862)
American author, poet, naturalist, tax resister, development critic,
surveyor, historian, philosopher, and leading transcendentalist.

Just What do I Know?

Interesting way to begin a new week - on a quest to find the secret to success.

The secret to success is to know
something nobody else knows.

Aristotle Onassis (1906 - 1975)
Shipping magnate

Tote-ally Wonderful!

I was the lucky winner of Chance's 100th blog posting, and she made me this terrific tote! She said she finished it in-between feeding new baby Abby and taking care of AJ! She's amazing, as is my new tote!

Yes, it's pink and green. PINK and green. Perhaps I've turned a new leaf, being 30 and all...love it! Can you see the polka dots on the inside!? Too fun!
I use it to carry my many books for Bible study on Wednesday nights. It's a one-of-a-kind masterpiece!

Thank you, Chance!

Mission (Bay): Impossible

I just returned from four, INTENSE days of Kagan Cooperative Learning Boot Camp in San Diego, California: Ann, Angela, Karen, and I were selected to be part-time trainers for Kagan, which means we get a higher level of training, their up-to-the-minute PowerPoints to train with, and we'll work for them a minimum of 10 days a year. Woohoo!

Hyatt Mission Bay - the view from our hotel room!

On the moving walkway at the San Diego Zoo!
This was before the really hard work began...

This family of gorillas was amazing - so interactive!

I have an official headshot - ha! Cheese!

The hard working bunch: Jackie (floral jacket), Ann,
Angela, Brenda, Karen, Monique, Laurie Kagan

Ann and I celebrating my 30th birthday

at a restaurant right next to the ocean! We made it!

Sheboygan

Why put lots of time into thinking about a creative blog title when you are from a place known as "Sheboygan!?" Oof da. Here are a couple of highlights from my visit to the tundra known as WisCONsin.

Linda Jacobs and I at South High. Aw....

The Cheese Stands Alone. Next to a cow.

Professora Cecchini from UW-Eau Claire. Sweet P.

Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago, IL.
We are über geeks. Über geeks with nametags.

Here is the 5 year old I used to babysit!
Matthew is now 18 years old and a senior! OY!

Three generations: Dot (79), Mom (56), Brenda (29).

My Frank! An early birthday gift!

The lighthouse/marina in Sheboygan, WI

Impossibly True

I'm feeling a bit better about what was formerly known as my impossible list of things to do. I'm ticking them off of my list, one by one, and truth be told, I just might be able to come out of this weekend ahead of the game!

Once you eliminate the impossible,
whatever remains, no matter how
improbable, must be the truth.

Sherlock Holmes (first featured in 1887)
Fictional detective

Just Keep Smiling

Someday soon. Someday soon I'll return to normal blogging. Someday soon I will not have 5 page to-do lists. Someday soon I will not fall asleep while studying. I am so swamped right now with work right now (the yearbook is due in a month, and I think only the page numbers are in place! UGH!) Thanks for hanging in there, stopping by to view the quote of the day, and not deleting my blog from your reading list! Soon!

Wrinkles should merely
indicate where smiles have been.

Mark Twain (1835 - 1910)
American author and humorist

High Expectations

You have to expect things of yourself
before you can do them.

Michael Jordan (1963 - )
Professional basketball player and professional businessman

Time to Dance

If you can't get rid of the skeleton

in your closet, you'd best teach it to dance.

George Bernard Shaw (1856 - 1970)
Irish playwright

Words

I return to the classroom today - hooray! I can't tell you how excited I am to be back in my classroom, doing what I enjoy, and spending time with the kids! Woohoo!

When ideas fail, words come in very handy.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832)
German dramatist, novelist, poet, and scientist

Plenty to Say

We survived! I'm not sure how, but Ann and I are headed home. UNREAL.

Never speak ill of yourself: your friends
will always say enough on that subject.

Author Unknown

Enjoy the Trip - I'm 30!

My 365 day journey has begun! I am celebrating my 30th birthday here in San Diego, California. I'm busier than busy, I'm crazy overwhelmed, AND I just need to remember to enjoy the trip!

A birthday is just the first day of another 365 day journey around the sun. Enjoy the trip!

Author Unknown

No Argument Here

Not really planning on arguing with anyone right now. My words and my brain really need to get along right now. They need to be partners. PLEASE do not argue...silently OR through words! HA!

Silence is argument carried out by other means.

Che Guevara

Think Again

OH MY GOODNESS. I am completely overwhelmed right now. Ann, Angela, Karen and I are trying our darndest to keep up with all the information, and it is impossible! Maybe not impossible, but really challenging for SURE! UGH! So of COURSE, I had to pick this quote today. I don't even know how we even had a moment to get on the internet. We're off to another meeting in 15 minutes. SERIOUSLY!

Okay. Must change my thinking. We are happy. We are lucky. We are competent. I think...

If you don't like something, change it.
If you can't change it, change the way you think about it.

Mary Engelbreit

Always Do Right

Today is Day 1 of training - we're observing an awesome trainer today, so it's a great way to begin! Let's hope we'll always do right!!

Always do right - this will gratify some and astonish the rest.

Mark Twain

Outside the Lines

We are in San Diego right now!
What a happy quote for the big 100!

No Limits

Perhaps this is the final kick in the can I needed before heading off to Boot Camp tomorrow! I'm frantically working...I mean, I'm working with calmness and precision....to compile all the information I've collected over the last few years in regards to the trainings I've observed. I'm hoping that these notes, handouts, etc. will help ME lead the group in San Diego, and allow for a constructive and productive training! No limits!

Oh, and I happened to notice this was Post #99. That makes tomorrow #100. Still mulling over what I will do...

Argue for your limitations,
and sure enough, they're yours.

Richard Bach (1936 - )
American writer

Laughter

From the moment I picked your book up until I laid it down, I was convulsed with laughter. Some day, I intend on reading it.

Groucho Marx (1890 - 1977)
American comedian and film star

Attack

I'm leaving for the airport in 3 hours. I'm going to board the plane, fly to Denver, retrieve my car, and drive home to Castle Rock. This is how I'm going to attack the day...

Problems worthy of attack prove
their worth by fighting back.

Paul Erdös (1913 - 1996)
Hungarian mathematician

Wholesome

I hate the word wholesome.

Julie Andrews (1935 - )
English actress, singer, author and icon

Soaring

One can never consent to creep
when one feels an impulse to soar.

Helen Keller ( Edison (1880 - 1968)

American author, political activist and lecturer

Perspective

I have not failed. I've just

found 10,000 ways that won't work.

Thomas Edison (1847 - 1931)

American inventor and business man

Budget cuts, anyone?

A people that values its privileges

above its principles soon loses both.

Dwight Eisenhower (1890 - 1969)

United States President and 5 Star General in the US Army

A Single Soul

And you thought I might miss posting for one day! Not a chance - just a little late in the day! It's been a full one - most of the day was with Dot (grandma). Lots of prayers for Dot's friend and her family tonight - we visited her in hospice earlier today.

Had a wonderful evening with Suz and Linda. I do love the fact that I didn't read the quote of the day until now - it's a perfect way to end the day:

What is a friend?
A single soul dwelling in two bodies.

Aristotle (384 - 322 BC)

Greek Philosopher

Interruptions

"Chi-ca-go, Chi-ca-go..." we're going there today! It's snowed a bit and I'm pretty sure the temperature doesn't even register on the scales, but we're headed out. Museum of Science and Industry - good stuff!

Never interrupt your enemy
when he is making a mistake.

Napoleon (1769 - 1821)

French military and political leader

It's all Relative

I'm off to Brandon, WI to visit with Megan and her two little girls -
both of whom I've never met! Then, it's back to Sheboygan to meet up with Jamie, then over to Belgium to see her little niece, Ellie and sister Jenni. What a happy day!

Friends are relatives you make for yourself.

Eustache Deschamps (1346 - 1406)

Medieval French poet

Healthy Signs

Updated: 9:44 pm - Progress - yeah, not so much. I visited my childhood church today, and they are completely in turmoil. This group disagrees with that group, this person is upset with that person. Compromise is not a word found within the walls of that building right now, and it might be too complex to fix. Ugh. It's kind of like when you walk into a room where two people have been arguing - the tension is clearly in the air, and you don't want to upset either party. THAT would be my childhood church right now. I'm praying (literally) that they can work through their creative differences, and unite toward what needs to be a God-serving church in the community.

On to better more happier things: I got to spend the evening with Linda, my dear friend and mentor. Just one evening and I am already more peaceful. We are always able to unpause from our last conversations, and pick up with the most current issues in our lives. Just great conversations with a cherished friend.

Honest differences are often
a healthy sign of progress.

Mahatma Gandhi (1869 - 1948)

Political and Spiritual leader of India