7/31 #sol23. A Walmart Trip That Made Me Smile

A lot of times, a trip to Walmart makes me grouchy. Too many people. Long lines. And I always spend more than I planned. Many years ago I took a class where a guy said every time he drives past Walmart, he should just throw $50 out the window. 

I kind of feel the same way.

But today, a trip to Walmart brought a smile to my face and it still hasn't gone away.

There I was. Standing in a random aisle, checking out random things when I heard

"Mrs. Day? Is that you, Mrs. Day?"

Five years after retirement, and I still turn and smile when I hear my name.

It was my teacher hater from my credit recovery class.

He gave me a big hug and shared his life with me. The first thing he did was whip out his phone and show me pictures of his two baby girls, and then, he introduced me to his girlfriend who obviously loves him. He's got a good job, although he's looking for something else. He just looks happy. 

Even today, the best part of teaching is connecting with students. Although now, I get to see them as adults and smile because they have created a good life for themselves.

6/31 #sol23 #CelebrateMonday

 Antoinette posted a slice this morning that dovetailed right into what I was thinking.

I have always liked Mondays. Probably because it seemed like I spent most of Sunday getting ready for it.

But on Mondays, I was ready for the week. I was organized and looked like I knew what I was doing. At least for Monday.

I was the annoyingly cheerful person who posted motivational Monday memes and used the #CelebrateMonday hashtag on Twitter.

But, now I'm retired. And Mondays are awesome! While the rest of the world is going to work, I am sitting in my pajamas, drinking more coffee than I need. I don't shower til 9:00 at least, and then I may put my robe back on. 

I sit leisurely in my recliner, watching the Today show, and making a to-do list of things I will try to do this week. But if not, they can be done next week, except for the bathroom. That is an absolute must-do today. Oh. And birthday cards. There are a couple coming up this week.

I may walk Sophie. I might go to the grocery store. I might dust and vaccum. 

Or I might read my book all day. 

5/31 #sol23 Down a Rabbit Hole

 I am not a late-day slicer, but I went down a rabbit hole today that threw off my whole morning.

Today, you see, would have been my grandparent's wedding anniversary. I don't know how or why I know that it is March 5th, but I always remember the date. It wasn't like they celebrated it (that I knew of anyway). I don't even remember them being overly affectionate. I just know the date.

But that started the trip down the hole.

I didn't know the year. 

First, I looked for a printed copy of my dad's family tree. Maybe that would tell me.  But no. Something I've put my hands on several times a year is nowhere to be found. 

Then I went to Family Search, a free ancestry site where I have an account. I did find out they were married in 1931, but, oddly, no marriage certificate.

I kept searching. 

When I clicked on Grandma's name, her family came up and some things had been added since the last time I was on this site. One of those things was another sister. One who died the same day she was born. Her birthday? The same as my grandma's.

Grandma was a twin?  Didn't know that.

Then I looked for a birth certificate. Nothing. But there was a death certificate for the baby that died. 

Curiouser and curiouser.

I finally dug myself out of the hole and moved on. 

But I have a feeling I'll be heading back down.

Just a little writing inspiration

4/31 #sol23. Begin Again (Saturday Morning Ramblings)

Spring exists

To remind us that

Everything can

Begin 

Again

These words spoke to me this morning as I read them 

(Sorry. They aren't mine and no author was listed. Found this on the Poetry Lovers Facebook page)

Begin Again

Reconnect

March is giving me that chance. Finding old blogging friends is rejuvenating my writing. And while I know that the middle of March "I don't have anything to write about" blues will rear their ugly head, right now, writing and sharing are fun again. 

Begin Again

Reconnect

Sophie and I took a walk yesterday. We hadn't had our daily walk for a couple of months. Too much ice and snow. And definitely too cold. But yesterday---

Spring began working its magic.

Sunny and 40.

Snow is melting, sidewalks are clearing.

Tulips are peeking up through the dirt (I really need to bring the Santa flag in)

Sophie had a blast on our walk. Darting back and forth in front of me (and sometimes behind me), I swear she smelled every fire hydrant, tree, potty spot on our route. I kept reminding myself that this walk was for her, not me. 

Begin again.

Reconnect

3/31 #solsc Meet Sophie

Some Things About Me, Sophie (not Mom)

Hi! My name is Sophie and I am one and a half. I’ll be two this summer. My birthday is the same as my dad’s! Mom said I should introduce myself since she’s writing on here I thought, why not? I’m kinda bored anyway. 

1. The number one, most important thing you should know about me is I like to play!  All day! From the time I get up in the morning until Mom makes me take a nap or go to bed, I like to run and tug and race around the yard. I like to play with other dogs, and with kids, but mostly with Mom and Dad.

2 Squeaky chew toys are the best ‘cause if no one will play with me,  I can just chew and squeak. All day long.

3. Rocks are the best toy, though. I love ‘em! Every day when there isn’t any snow I find a rock to play with. I can make them jump! Can you do that? I also like to just suck on them. I don't chew them. They're too hard. But sometimes, if I'm kind of nervous, I just hold them in my mouth and everything is all better. I try to sneak them in the house, but Mom is pretty good at noticing if I do that.

4. I can talk. And one of these days, Mom will get a video to prove it!

5. I hate naps. But Mom says I have to settle down sometime and she makes me. If I don't take a nap, she says I get grouchy! I don't think I do, but when Mom makes me rest, I usually fall asleep for a little bit.

6. I LOVE to go in the car. We almost always go somewhere fun! Sometimes it takes a really long time to go somewhere. This winter we got in the car and drove FOREVER! When we stopped a couple of times we stayed in little rooms and I had to be really really quiet. I hate that. But finally, we got to a house and my Aunt Sue and Uncle Larry were there and it had a big backyard and there was no snow and I could run and run and run.  And there were really nice rocks! That was the best! 

7. I'm learning to be really good when I go with Mom and Dad places. Sometimes they go places that let dogs come. I really like to go to those places. I have to be really good, but Mom usually brings me a toy or a bone to play with. And sometimes I find a rock.

Well, I've got a new bone to break in, so I'm going to go now. Mom says she might let me talk to you guys again if I'm really good, so I'll try! 

See you later!

Sophie

2/31 #solsc 10 Things About Me

10 Things About Me

1. Married for 39 years with 2 kids and 7 grandkids.  I don’t know how I ended up with 7 grandkids. I’m not old enough for that!

2. I went to college as a nursing major, but changed to education as soon as I set foot on campus.

3.  I subbed/taught/subbed for 35 years. Started in 7th grade, finished with high school kids. When people ask me what I taught, I usually respond with, “anything I could”. In reality, general English, Creative Writing, Speech, a variety of reading classes. 

4. I am and always will be a school geek. August is the beginning of a new year. I love back to school sales. There is nothing better than new pens and notebooks.

5. My husband and I love a good road trip (Sophie does too!). We plan those much like I planned units in school. But then usually throw out the day by day plans and fly by the seat of our pants.

6. I love craft beers and good red wine.

7. I hate everything about bananas—smell, taste, texture. Ask anyone. Family, friends, former students will all tell you the same thing. Students used to have to eat them in the hall if they brought them as a snack. My husband eats one every night IN THE KITCHEN and puts the peel in a sack before putting it in the garbage. I’m kind of dictator about them!

8. I’d go back to teaching if Hogwarts called sent an owl.

9. I live in northeast Iowa, but Maui is the home of my heart and soul.

10. I would eat ice cream every single day if I could. Chocolate in any form (but not mint), peanut butter or salted caramel are my go tos. Also, a good brand, not a store brand. Kind of picky, aren’t I. But my mom always told me that life is too short to read bad books or eat bad ice cream. Some things are just worth the extra price.

1/31 #solsc Hello, Again!

Years ago, I was a regular here at TWT. I wrote every Tuesday. I loved the March challenge.I felt most myself when I wrote frequently. In those days, this blog was know as Coffee With Chloe and I had a little help writing  from our dog, Chloe.

But Chloe passed away in a few years ago, and I had a hard time coming back to this blog. So, awhile back,  I renamed the blog Stories With Sophie in honor of our new pup. But the writing hasn’t come.

I’ve gone back and forth about blogging again for a week or so. I haven’t joined in on the March fun for three years. I just didn’t believe I had anything to say. In the past, I was a teacher of writers who also wrote. I believed that all I wrote about were my students and my classes. 

But, yesterday, I took a trip down memory lane and read many of my March posts. It was kind of like visiting with an old friend. And I wrote about a lot more than school. There were posts about Chloe, the grandkids, the weather, the lake, and friends. I had a lot of to write about, and I will again. I just have to pay attention.

And as I read, I started to get the “bug”. When I found this post, I knew I had to try again.

And, today, March 1st, I feel the same excitement and apprehension I did in 2011. Today it starts. Today I reconnect with my blog and my first writing community.

I can’t wait to see who is here!