Today I finished booktalking and had lunch with one of my staff members. Later today I wrote up an evaluation of both my staff members.
And that reminded me what AWESOME staff I’m blessed with. Both of them are stellar, self-motivated, always learning and looking for ideas for even better programs and ways to serve kids.
And they are both really nice people to work with, too!
Booktalking has gone well this year!
It helped that we did the hardest one first – one hour per grade. (Most are 20-30 minutes per grade.) All the rest seemed like a piece of cake after that!
But it has also helped that I have read so very many good books, since I’m reading for the Newbery Award.
And maybe it helped that I have enough experience, I don’t worry as much about it.
And I really enjoy the two co-workers I do it with.
So it was an enjoyable time of booktalking this year – one day left tomorrow!
My Friend-since-third-grade Darlene took me out to dinner tonight for my birthday coming up this week. We don’t have to talk about anything in particular. We have a great time! It was just lovely. I’m so blessed to have such a friend.
Tonight I saw the new documentary about Mr. Rogers – Won’t You Be My Neighbor?, and my heart is full.
What a loving man!
And watching him treat children – and all other people – like individuals worthy of attention and interest – makes me feel worthy of attention and interest.
And makes me want to go out and be a loving person.
Silent Book Club has been going more than half a year now! I’m doing lots and lots of reading – It’s such a treat to one night a week get to do that with friends!
It’s been months since I posted on this blog, but a couple days ago I posted the quote above on Sonderquotes, and I decided I want to bring back this practice of trying to think of one thing to be thankful for each day.
For awhile, I was trying to do other gratitude practices. But I like the way this one makes it obvious if I’ve done it or not. The others that were less formal were often getting skipped.
So today I’ll be thankful for blogs. I’ve got my book review blog, Sonderquotes (which now includes quote excerpts displayed on a photo – I love this!), Sonderjourneys (where I posted my life story and also post devotional thoughts), and Sonderblessings. This one is more personal – I’m not really doing it for other people, but for me to make a practice of ending the day by thinking of something I’m grateful for.
And today I am reminded that I love living in a time where I can post my writing for the world to read.
Yesterday, I paid off all my credit cards.
This feels miraculous. For years, I’d prayed daily that it would happen, but I thought I was praying for something in the far distant future.
But I checked out a home equity loan recently – and qualified for just enough to pay off all those cards and end up in a better budget. Yes, I still have debt, but now it’s all secured debt.
And that feels so good!
I finished a very good book last night at Silent Book Club, and then I started a new one when I got home. And I was several chapters in, when I realized that I LOVE this book and I LOVE the main character.
Now, it’s true that by the time I finish I may not love it as much. (The author could still blow it.)
And I may read many more books this year that I love this much. (Wouldn’t that be great!)
And it’s possible that the others on the committee won’t love this particular book as much as I do.
But I think it’s safe to say that I’m going to get to help give an award and honors and huge recognition to some books I LOVE this year.
Last night I had this moment of thinking I wished I could tell the whole world about this wonderful book and this amazing and wonderful character.
And then I realized: I GET TO DO THAT!!! I REALLY DO!!!
I’ve recently contacted some elementary school librarians – and I’m getting to go into the schools and talk with kids about the Newbery process and how the Medal winner is chosen and all the reading I have to do this year.
It’s so much fun!
Talking about the award in the community is part of my charge as a member of the Newbery committee – I hadn’t realized just how much fun it is to do!
I think I jinxed myself. Last year, when I paid $2700 to fix my old 2002 Prius, I kept saying that I hoped it would last until I paid off my student loans. Well, last month I paid off my library school student loans – and on December 28, when the weather had turned bitter cold, my check engine warning light went off. It still was running, but I took it in that night.
The next day they told me the hybrid motor was malfunctioning and the engine was misfiring. It would cost me $5000 to fix it. The car had 227,000 miles on it, 101,000 more than when I bought it ten years ago.
It was time to buy a new car!
So on December 29, I bought a brand-new Prius C (C for Compact). I knew I wanted another Prius, and was happy that now they have a smaller, cheaper version. I found what I wanted on the website and test drove it – and love it!