348/365 Christmas Wish

"Grown-up Christmas List"

I got my grades submitted this afternoon and now I can think about Christmas.  So what do you think was the first thing that I did?  I had a meltdown.  I realized how close Christmas is and how little I have done to prepare.  I am in such deep trouble!  My Amazon Prime membership will probably pay for itself this weekend!

Tonight we finally dragged the tree out of the garage.  It is up and its lights are plugged in, but it has no ornaments yet.  And, there are no other decorations anywhere...except the pumpkin that is still sitting in the dining room.  I feel like we are going to have so little time to enjoy the Christmas decorations at this point that it is hardly worth the time and trouble of putting them up.  I really dislike taking them all down and packing them away too.  .I think I just need an attitude adjustment and perhaps a little sleep.  

Today was selfie #12 for the year.  They have gotten so much easier over the past twelve months.  Granted, this is not exactly a true selfie since you can't see my face, but I have taken several other true selfies this month so this one counts.  I said so and I'm in a bad mood  The important thing here is not me anyway; it is the Christmas list.

One of my all-time favorite Christmas songs is "Grown-up Christmas List" sung by Amy Grant.  When I read the day's prompt I knew that I wanted to try and incorporate the song into my picture somehow.  I didn't quite get the image that I saw in my head, but it is close enough and that's OK.  What is important, is the song lyrics.

"No more lives torn apart,

that wars would never start

and time would heal all hearts.

Everyone would have a friend,

right would always win,

and love would never end."

This is my grown-up Christmas list.

347/365 No Peeking

"Can I Peek?"

I am honored to have the opportunity to serve as a mentor for this little sixth grader.  Today was our last meeting before the holidays so I got to give her her Christmas gift.  It has been a while since I have shopped for a girl this age.  I enjoyed the chance to again peruse the children's section of the bookstore looking for just the right book for her.  I finally settled on "I've Lost My Hippopotamus" by Jack Pruletsky.  I also made her a hot pink and purple hat, colors that I never knit with for my own girls.

She wasn't sure whether she got to open her gifts today or if she had to wait until Christmas.  After a little hesitancy, she asked if she could open it and was thrilled that the answer was "yes".  We had a good time reading silly poems together and talking about how our families celebrate Christmas.

346/365 Through My Window

"Through the Window to the Door"

"They're home.  They're home!  THEY'RE HOME!!!

345/365 Decorating

"Caffeinated  Thanks"

This is final exam week for me and things are a little chaotic because of school being cancelled on Monday due to the ice storm.  We are having to squeeze Monday's exams somewhere into the rest of the week.  The good news is that the deadline for submitting grades has been extended two days.  That gives me a little room to breathe.

I had two exams today; the first was at 9am.  This class is small, only 10 students, but they are mighty.  Not only did they show up prepared to present their final projects, they also came with food!  One student's mom made the most awesome egg rolls.  I think they are the best I have ever had.    Another student brought chocolate covered popcorn.  Fruit rounded out our morning snack.

After they had completed their presentations, this group surprised me with a gift.  This is college.  They don't have to give the "obligatory teacher present."  I was handed a gift bag filled with coffee samples from Addison Coffee Roasters, two HUGE mugs (one for me and one for Weber), and a very generous gift certificate for more coffee.  This group knows me well!  I was truly touched by the is class' thoughtfulness and generosity.  These are college kids.  Most of them are working and going to school, struggling to pay their own bills.  I was also humbled by messages they wrote to me in the accompanying cards.

This mug will decorate my desk and be a constant reminder to me of why I do what I do.

344/365 Commemorate

"12-13 Ice Storm"

One more photo comemmorating the early December ice storm that has caused complete chaos with this semester's final exam schedule!  Yet, it is so beautiful when you look at it from this perspective rather than on the roads.

343/365 Grinch

"His Puzzler Was Sore"

342/365 Centered

"Peace"

Peace should always be at the center.

I also had some fun playing with quotes on this one.