HOT Lava Springs

It was not-so-hot weather for us at Lava Springs when we arrived for our Spring Break Trip. Rain, snow, sleet, wind- lots of wind! It wasn't a place to lay out in the sun, that's for sure. We had a good time being holed up in our bungalow for a few days and the hot springs themselves were nice and warm on the cold, breezy winter days. It was so great to get out of town! Bill even took me to the Chuckwagon for dinner. . . but that is a whole other posting!

The Extraordinary Exclamation Point!

We have already established that I'm a nerd when it comes to learning and information and that is why I the exclamation point is so great!

It was introduced into English printing in the 1400's and it was known as the "point of admiration". It did not make an appearance on the typewriter until after the 1970's. Before that, one would have to type a period, backspace, and then type an apostrophe.

This is one of my favorite signs in town- how lucky am I to have found an exclamation point on it!

Not an Oprah Book Club

In 2006 I actually kept a New Year's Resolution- to start a book club- and we're still going! Once a month a group of my friends meet together for breakfast, coffee, or lunch and talk about a book that (most of us) read! It has been quite the reading journey with a lot of fun memories. Our only rule is that you cannot pick a book that only comes in hardback cover. Also, we try to pick some type of book or genre that we normally would not read otherwise, so that we can branch out of our "reading realm"

Some of my favorites have been:
The Red Tent
Redeeming Love
Blue Like Jazz
The Kite Runner

Oh The Almanac

Ok, so someone told me that I should give reading The Almanac a try. I'm not even kidding. Let me tell you that I am not disappointed! It is full of such great information! And I'm not even a Jeopardy-fan (well, just sometimes). The Almanac has something truly for everyone. I don't suggest reading it cover to cover, but I am going to leave it in my car and when I am stuck somewhere and have some extra time, I am going to catch up, because it really is quite fascinating
(it makes me feel a little smarter too).
http://www.almanac.com/

New Hobby

It's not like I need something new to do, but seriously, Antiques Roadshow, has me hooked! I have now become enamored with antiques and not collecting, but learning. I love looking at vintage jewelry, furniture, plates, tea cups, art, etc. So I went to the library to feed my obsession and checked out many large books on the subject. I soon discovered that there is no possible way to learn about ALL antiques, but that I will have to choose one area that I will focus my interest (and hunt at yard sales for finds so I can go on the show and say, "I only bought this for $10 and it's worth a thousand!" Oh that would be joy!

A Special Honor

It was a very special honor for me to be a "Teacher of the Year" nominee. Each year, every school nominates teachers in their own, special way and at our school our colleges nominate the TOY award. I felt so honored just to be nominated! Each nominee received a decorated cookie and the winner received a cookie basket. Who knows. . . maybe one of these years!

Happy Birthday Lois!

Today is Lois Lowry's birthday. It's not a day I usually celebrate, I happened to just come upon the fact, but I also happen to love Lois Lowry as an author! I have only read The Giver, it is one of my all-time favorite books, and I have a signed copy by her! It is a very precious memento to me and I keep it in my class (mostly to show it off:)

Lois was born in Honolulu, HI on March 20, 1937. She also wrote the book Number the Stars. That is probably a book I will have to give a try! Happy 72nd birthday!
http://www.loislowry.com/