31/365 12 HP Broom

I wanted to sweep the leaves off the pool deck in the backyard. "Use the shopvac!" shouts the husband, a man who has the genetic disposition to believe that anything that plugs in and makes a loud noise has to do the job better than you could do it by hand. Fool that I am, I listened. And I finished my 10 minute sweep 40 minutes later, aching back and frazzled nerves from driving the extension cord around the swimming pool while ignoring the vision of my spectacular death by electrocution.

30/365 My Coronation

I'm a new queen of differentiated instruction, ready to present this topic for SDE. Here I am at the coronation ceremony (the one on the right). Good, accessible teaching practices, presented in a way that engages teachers... I'm in!

Now I hope I get A LOT of work doing this.

29/265 I'm Totally Cheating

In Columbus, Ohio, observing a workshop on Differentiated Instruction, stuck in a hotel meeting room all day, nothing particularly photo-worthy has occurred. This pic of my "little girl" was taken two days ago. On her way out the door, the social butterfly of Green Cove JHS is all ready for school.

28/365 Airport Renovations

They've been renovating Jacksonville International Airport for most of the 12 1/2 years I've lived in Florida, and it's still not done. The new concourses A and C have opened, even if all the gates aren't ready. I love the skylights, the open spaces and the splashes of color on the mosaics that mark the entrances to the public restrooms. Another cool feature: the transparent artwork in the huge windows at the end of the walkway depicting travelers walking in an airport, a man on A concourse and a woman on C. Mr. and Mrs. Anybody and Everybody. The airport a place where we're all so different, but all alike too.

27/365 The Starbucks Fitness Plan

My running partner, er, husband couldn't get out of bed for our early morning run. Then the morning was overcast, so I wasn't motivated to go it alone. At precisely 12 noon the sky turned blue and my mood changed. 5 miles to the Y, hit the abs, shoulders, triceps and biceps, and then 5 miles back home. On the way I treated myself to a coupla' shots of espresso and a seat outside the Starbucks, taking in a gorgeous January afternoon.

26/365 To Sleep Like a Cat

Gotta' admit. I'm jealous of my cat.

25/365 Laundry

All night, all day. Laundry. Laundry. Laundry. Never done.

Wait! If everyone in the house is naked, doesn't touch anything, doesn't use a towel, and doesn't sit down, I'd have nothing to wash!

I'll keep doing laundry.

24/365 Super Dad vs. Science Curriculum

Helping her to study when he'd rather be dozing in front of the television, Super Dad is trying to get through an Astronomy chapter in eighth grade Science. There's a new vocabulary word in every sentence, and not even Super Dad can determine what main points she'd supposed to study. RR Lyrae Variables. Got it. Cephid Variables. Got it. Our galaxy? The Milky Way, of course, but the book never defined that one. It's a big, meaningless pile of information, and the teacher will put it all on the test. Good way to turn off a kid's interest in Science.

23/365 I'm Employed Today, Anyhow

The waning days of my employment as an educational consultant are here, and all I can think is, damn, I really like doing this. I've had a rewarding week. Teachers came with questions, and, remarkably, I had answers. What will happen to their questions in the future?

22/365 Winter Sky in Columbia, SC

Outside the window of the Hilton Garden Inn: suburban scrawl, shopping mall traffic, drive through windows...and the most beautiful sunrise.

21/365 Newspapers Under My Hotel Room Door

20/365 Room to the View

When the 44th President of the United States took his oath I was in the concourse C Crowne Room at the Atlanta airport, en route to Augusta, Georgia. Airports and flights today seemed sparsely populated. The terminal walkways echoed with Wolf Blitzer and company and their constant commentary on this "moment in history." Yet in the Crowne Room, this oasis of civility reserved for elite travelers to escape the chaos of airport travel, few paid the moment any attention. Most were busy with Blackberry and Bluetooth, backs purposely turned on the flat screen. A few of us sat close and listened, sharing embarrassed, clandestine glances through teary eyes. I wonder about the others. Staunch, vengeful Republicans? Card-carrying racists? In my head I shouted at them, "You can turn your back on history. The country is moving the other way without you!"

19/365 Jew Hawk

I know, I know. It's Dr. King's birthday, we're on the edge of history, and the only thing I could photograph is my hairdo, affectionately known as a Jew Hawk (put a faux hawk on a Jew and that's what you get). This is the time to embrace our diversity, and I'm starting at the top.

18/365 Bagel Perfection

We've waited so long to find a good, NY style bagel around here. Whole Foods nailed it. Then it was decorated to perfection with Temptee, lox, onion, tomato and lettuce. A mug full of Anniversary Blend in my commemorative NY City Starbucks mug and I have one happy Sunday breakfast.

17/365 'Tude

Sugar and spice? Maybe these girls are 12 years apart in age, but they have matching style (hoodie and vest) and matching attitudes. Holla girlfriends!

16/365 The Line Leader

She's always first in line, first thing in the morning, to be certain that the first thing I do is give cat treats to her first. The line leader waits quietly, but eventually her ill-mannered brother tags along. "Mreoww," he cries for his treats. I swing open the creaky pantry door. Then, in my dual roles as court crier and caterer I announce, "Cat Treats! Cat treats for the good cats, and others too!" Gretel is good, patient, and deserving of her treats. And Hansel, her brother, is a cat too.

15/365 Waiting at the Airport

Far from home and waiting for a flight, I'm grateful for facebook and especially for my friends. Some chat with me before their family dinners. I picture them at their kitchen tables, family around them, and the warm sounds and smells of home. Other friends pop into my window when it's their turn to punish me in our latest installment of bi-coastal Scrabble. With the machine on my lap and my friends in my heart, I don't feel so alone.

14/365 On Working

Sure, some of these guys are working hard. 3 out of 6 actually picked up tools after a 20 minute break. And the new terminals at the airport look great. But I just spent my morning at the school board office, jumping through the hoops required to substitute teach. I signed more affidavits than at a closing, and had to provide documentation for high school, college, graduate school, additional trainings, certifications, bank records, and recommendations. I think I showed them my dental records and the report from my latest mammogram. If it is agreed that I checked all the boxes, I may be called to substitute in a school for a grand $13.65 per hour. Wonder what they're paying to work on the tarmac??

13/365 Goulash!

This big, steaming pot of goulash is almost ready. The 3 of us get 3 hearty meals from one recipe. Watching Paula Deen has given me some ideas that are good for my tastebuds, if not my waistline!

12/365 Bedtime

All 5 of us sleep here. That is, two adults, one teenager (who would never admit that she needs her mommy and daddy so much that she crawls into their bed every night) and 2 cats. I like to have the bed tucked and tidy, but it's 11:35 AM and still unkempt. The unseemly lump in the center is our boy cat. It's a chilly morning so he's tunnelled his way under the comforter. I don't have the heart to disturb him.

11/365 + H Crazy Girls

silly teenage girls
laughing, talking all night long
look out teenage boys!

10/365 + Sweating at House of Mouse

The Walt Disney World Half Marathon wasn't our fastest or our slowest, but by far it was our most memorable race. Combining two of our (many) geeky obsessions, Disney and running, made for a wonderful time, not only a VERY long morning. We left the hotel room at 3:20 AM...

I'm working on a video with more pictures, but this is one of my favorites: Evan the athlete, six miles into a race, passing in front of Cinderella's castle before throngs of well-wishers.

We're planning to enter Disney's Coast to Coast Race Challenge. If we complete the Disneyland 1/2 on September 6th there's a special medal, not to mention mad bragging rights!

9/365 + H Room with a View

lounge around all day
spy wildlife while safe and warm
wish I were my cat

8/365 + H The Routine

An institute of
Higher learning: Junior High.
We must look our best.

7/365 + H Time

Tick toc, tic toc damn!
Time is money, so it's said.
Not for unemployed.

6/365 Herb Pots

Mini herb garden, only 3 days old. Already someone has been eating my catnip plant!

5/365 Mizzuno

My trusty running shoes. I alternate 2 pair to keep them fresh. Mileage on the box helps me remember when it is time for new ones. I average 300 miles before I need new rubber. I'm currently between these Mizuno and a pair of Asics. I think these will be on my feet as I pass through all 4 Disney parks in the WDW 1/2 marathon on Saturday.

4/365 Nosh

A little nosh always makes a business meeting better.

3/365 Floors

I swept and damp mopped the hardwood this afternoon. Then my brilliant husband decided to hose down the patio in the back. Our footprints are going to look great. Tomorrow morning I'll sweep and damp mop again. Maintenance free wood floors?

2/365 Road Trip

10 hour drive from Richmond to Jacksonville

1/365 Family

Second Cousins Bring in 2009 in Richmond

Project 365

I heard about this on a podcast while I was running this week and thought it was a great idea. After a little research (g00gling) I found that it's a pretty popular undertaking. So, here goes: I will try to document the next 365 days, for better or for worse by posting at least one photo per day.