These Things Make Me Happy.

2010 has been off to a bit of a rocky start for me.  Now don’t read that and think things have been bad.  They haven’t.  Just rocky.  As in having a rough time finding my footing and feeling sure of the way things are going.  However, I’m pleased to say this weekend has been a turning point.  After completing many loads of laundry (the number is too embarrassing to share!) and taking some deep breaths I’m ready to embrace 2010.

To celebrate, here are a few of the things which are making me happy right now.  (Perhaps you’ll want to do a post like this tomorrow for Slice of Life.)

Mary Lee’s Poetry Friday post on A Year of Teaching Reading.  This resonated with me on Friday afternoon.  The poem soothed my soul and the fact that someone else “out there” felt the same as I did at that moment was a very good thing. 

Stacey and I are officially more finished than not finished with our book.  We are 2/3 of the way finished with the draft.  I had no idea how good that would feel.  I can’t imagine how it will feel when it is sent to the publisher and no more changes can be made. 

Yum.  Until about 8 weeks ago I despised coffee.  Then, out of necessity for late nights, I converted.  This makes it possible.

One of my favorite bloggers may be back.  If you’ve never read Chocolate for Teachers, you won’t be sorry spending some time in the archives.  I promise you’ll be happy too.

Beef Stew, Honey Pan Rolls, Fruit Salad and friends who we have gone too long without seeing.  This encompassed my night tonight.  We were outnumbered 2 to 1 —  adults to kids.  They have four kids (all under the age of 4) and with our three + another girl who is staying with us while her mom is outta town that makes 8!

This summer the following national speakers are coming to the All-Write Summer Institute:  Carl Anderson,Smokey Daniels, Matt Glover, Penny Kittle, Lester Laminack, Katie Wood Ray,  Franki Sibberson, Sharon Taberski, and Sara Weeks.  The registration form should be up soon.

Freedom Summer by Deborah Wiles and illustrated by Jerome Lagarrique is one of my all time favorite books.  I read it with my kids in honor of today.

What’s making you happy?