2016 OLW

I've finally chosen my OLW for 2016, which will be my very first OLW ever! I'm giving it a go this year in place of my resolution-making, which is basically always the same and peters out by mid-March anyhow.

I have been searching for my word in earnest since only Tuesday.  The universe was sending signs my way--or maybe it was just Two Writing Teachers slice-of-life participants--but whatever the case I had the idea that it was time for me to try this idea. I went through several words--trying them on, whispering them, stating them with conviction, letting them sink into me.  I tried Breathe, and Enough, and even Magic (which came in a close 2nd.)

Yesterday I was contacted by a DNA cousin --I guess many of us have more time to work on our genealogy over the holidays--regarding my Armstrong line.  After working with him for a bit--he was able to break down a wall he has been trying to break down for 20 years!--he gave me some leads, too.  Following them, I found the most incredible story.  History is a funny thing, y'all, and family history even more so because it relates directly to YOU.

I had never really gone too far back with my Armstrong line.  My 2nd great-grandmother was an Armstrong who married a Shaw.  I remember my own grandmother talking about her grandmother in my childhood, but only about her---not anything else in that family line, so I didn't know the history; the amazing, magical, bigger-than-life history of the Armstrong Clan. Yesterday my day quickly became all about chasing down this information.

The clan motto is Invictus Maneo- I remain Unvanquished.  I love the strength in that; the absolute conviction. After learning this motto, it was clear what word was MINE for the year.  It sings to me a powerful warrior song. And any clan motto that goes with a history that involves MacBeth, Danish kings, Vikings, and has an amazing poem by the same name has got to be a good match for this theatre-loving, Scottish-obsessed family historian librarian, right? If you happen to want a quick version of this family history, you can check it out here.

I'll leave you with the poem.  In 2016, I will remember that I AM the Master of my Fate & the Captain of my Soul.

I hope you all have a fabulous New Year!

Sonja

"Invictus" image made using Canva.  "Invictus" poem first published in 1875 in Book of Verses. 

The Power of Words-my slice of life

We have had a brilliant Christmas and we aren't completely done yet.  Christmas day was spent at home relaxing and eating Tex-Mex, then we picked up and drove to Austin for Christmas celebrations with my side of the fam.  My little one LOVES time with her cousins and it is always so sweet to see them play together.  Hubby's family will head this direction in a couple of days, and then our holidays will be well and truly complete.

While at my mom's house, I started making a list of funny things that were said.  I am a collector of the weird & unique---words, objects, & some would say, people.  I find that life is so very interesting, and I particularly enjoy the little oddities that make me smile & think.

Some of my favorites from the trip:

1, We do NOT lick things and throw them.
2. My breath smells like skunks and peaches.
3. I'm done. There's only so much booger I can take.

Yes, these are funny---but are also a reminder that words have power.  I've spent time reading several posts from Two Writing Teachers Slice of Life today that speak of the writer's 2015 "one little word." I've thought about having my own OLW, and am feeling that perhaps 2016 is my year to begin the journey.  Hmmm...now to ponder and choose my word!

Have a joyous New Year, y'all!

Sonja

Currently... Slice of Life

Ah, the joys of Christmas break! YES, I love what I do, AND, YES, I love having an extended holiday break.

Currently...

Loving
My red lipstick.  It is super cheap, but fantastic.  Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate Moss # 01.  It is the perfect vintage-chic red.  Lovely, costs under $5, and is long-lasting. I realized just how much I love it when mine fell out of my bag & got lost who-knows-where, and I had to immediately go purchase another so as not to be without it.


Reading
Greg Iles' Turning Angel, the 2nd book in his Penn Cage series.  This series was recommended to me by a coach at my high school.  That alone makes it read-worthy in my book, BUT...I thoroughly enjoyed the first one and am devouring this one, as well.  It is a murder-mystery set in the south with a lawyer-turned-writer MC.  I'm also readying Lair of Dreams by Libba Bray.  I brought home 5 other novels for my reading delight over the break, including I Crawl Through It by A.S.King, and Kissing in America by Margo Rabb.

Watching
Elf. The Santa Clause. Love, Actually, and gearing up for It's a Wonderful Life.  Ah, the holidays! Also, must mention my newish favorite show, The Librarians.  So, so good.  Kitshy Indiana Jones only with genius magic-chasing librarians--what's NOT to love?

Making
My home Christmas-ready.  My tree is up and the stockings are hung.  Gifts have been purchased and those that have arrived are wrapped and under the tree.  Ingredients for my famous enchiladas have been gathered (we'll do the traditional turkey dinner later with family, but Christmas Day will be a Tex-Mex fiesta in the Schulz casa!)

Thinking about
How very blessed I am. I have the very best job in the universe and a wonderful family.  I have clothes to wear, food to eat, and books to read.  Life is so good, ya'll.

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays to you all! May your days be Merry & Bright!

Sonja

Happy Read-a-Lot-a-Days! #SOL

It has been a wonderful first week of December in the library!

My students are really enjoying our #12DaysofLibraryChristmas celebration. If you missed that post you can read it here. Truth be told, I have had a BLAST doing it, too!

Day  1: We decorated our mini-stockings with glitter glue.

Day 2: Wintergreen candy canes & Day 3: Pop Rocks!

Day 4: Christmas buttons.

Day 5: Mini-cupcakes.

Day 6: "LIKE A BOSS" pencils.  I give these out tomorrow and I'm sooooo excited.

I'll follow up with the last of the pics next week!

In other news, the library has been decorated.  Finally.
There was no way to up my game from last year's viral snowman, so I decided to take a step back and go easy-peasy this year.  The kids decorated and had a ball doing it without any stress.

Lastly, I love, love, love the new Facebook header I created using Canva.  You can check it out on our Facebook page.

Have a wonderful week, y'all!

12 Days of Library Christmas

one of our library book trees from last year

I read this awesome blog post from the fabulous Amber Teaman and it got me thinking.  I love her leadership style and love that she thinks about how to give to her staff so they know they are appreciated during this holiday season.  

Inspired by this post, I've been thinking about how I can incorporate this idea in my library.  I have some really amazing senior student library assistants this year.  I can celebrate the last 12 days of school before Christmas break with this idea by starting THIS Thursday.  AmberTeaman mentions in her post that "if I can make these three weeks a little less stressful, then that's what I want to do." I feel the same way about my library.  For my seniors, these weeks will be filled with research papers and testing, not to mention the family, relationship, holiday expectations, and other various life stressors they carry.  Yes, Virginia, stress is REAL for our students, too.  

I can't spend a ton---I have about 20 assistants this semester throughout the day--and I don't want them to really think that is what it is about anyhow.  More than anything, I want them to get a smile, and know they are thought of and appreciated.  Based on her list, here is my list of things I'm considering for my student assistants celebration days. 

embossed #2 pencils (I'm thinking of having some made that say "Like a Boss")

donuts (yeah, a new Dunkin' Donuts just opened here making this an especially exciting option)

homemade pumpkin bread mini-loaves (I have a pan that makes 18 at one time)

candy canes (maybe traditional AND pickle juice flavor just for fun?)

hot chocolate bar

cinnamon roll waffles (easy if you take your own waffle-maker & use store-bought dough)

handwritten card of appreciation

chocolate

TicTacs (maybe minions or the snowman poop idea?)

Nacho day (queso in a crock pot, perhaps?)

Altoids 

Gum

Stockings (Dollar Tree!  and we will get those day 1 and decorate them with names during class, I think--that way each day's goodie can be put in them.)

Who knows what all I'll end up after a trip to the Dollar Tree (I'm a huge fan of DT!) but I know I want to have a few interactive things and I know free food is always a hit with teens.

Basically, I want them to remember in the midst of all the chaos & busyness,  life is FUN and full of JOY & WONDER. I hope it will be a lesson they carry with them as they leave me and go out into this big wide world in June. And then, I hope this will be a lesson they share with others in their adult lives, as well.  

I've been thinking

It is fabulous to have an entire week off for Thanksgiving break.  Add that to the list of things for which I am thankful. Generally I make a huge to-do list of things that must be accomplished when I have a break. As a solidly Type B personality, I don't really ever expect to finish that list, but it does help me to have a framework so that perhaps I am able to get something done.  

This week I allowed myself to just let the week unfold, and it was GLORIOUS.  I'm going to take a virtual page from this blog post that is new to me as of today despite the fact that it was written about 3 years ago.  Eh.  I'm Type B, what can I say?

Currently... 

Loving 

My week untethered to clocks and "musts". I went to bed whenever I wished and woke up the same way.  I drank all the coffee.  I cooked what I pleased. I read what I wanted whenever I wanted. Divine, really. 

Reading

I had primo reading time this week.  Joy! I read Libba Bray's The Diviners, which is a work of genius.  This had been on my TBR list for quite some time, but when the sequel arrived in my office last week I knew the time had come to move it up to the Read Now section of the list.  I've had the pleasure of meeting Libba Bray on more than one occasion. I've heard her speak and attended dinners with her at librarian bookish things.  I adore her, and while I absolutely don't fool myself into thinking she remembers me or this incident, we have shared a "Foxy" satin jacket joke and that counts for something, right?  This book is just the most.  The abso-tute-ly most.  Paranormal historical fiction set in NYC in the Roaring Twenties with badass female characters?  Yes, please! I was completely swept up in this book.  

On the l-o-n-g journey "back home" for Thanksgiving with the in-laws, we listened to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, which is now available on Audible.  Anyone who knows me knows I love me some HP, and the audiobook makes it easy for the whole family to enjoy it on the road. 

I'm still working on Brene Brown's Rising Strong.  I read this in bits and spurts because there is SO much amazing brilliance in it that I need to ponder and give myself time to really take it all in so that it becomes a part of me. 

I've also caught up on several blogs/sites I follow like YA Buccaneers (which is how I came across the Katy Upperman site) and Austin Kleon (who never fails to inspire). 

Watching

Hubby and I rented Love & Mercy last night.  Even though I had heard parts of Brian Wilson's life story, this movie really brought it to life.  Wow! What a story!

I watched the Pretty Little Liar upcoming season teaser show, too.  Not worried about the haters, y'all.  I love this show and am eagerly awaiting the coming season.

I have become completely obsessed with watching these videos this week, too.  Watch with earbuds. I was especially touched by Giulia and Elijah's story (perhaps because I work with high school kids) as well as this one, and this follow-up---which for some reason isn't showing up on the main site for me anymore, so I had to go to youtube.

Making

Homemade chicken noodle soup  that is truly amazing and will spoil you from eating any other recipe (I'm pretty sure the sherry, cream, and rosemary are the real stars of this show) and pumpkin bread that is as perfect for breakfast as it is for dessert.  Both are easy & fabulous & make my home smell scrummy.

Thinking about

So many things. Do you ever feel as though you are quite possibly on the cusp of something amazing?  Like just over the edge of your current thought is an idea that is really something special? That pretty much explains where my thoughts are right now.  I wrestle a lot with balance in life.  I feel like I have a fairly good handle on it most of the time, but only because I am continually mindful. Striving to attain goals vs. mindful living. It can be tough. Maybe this is why that idea dances on the peripheral rather than bounding fully-formed into my conscious. I'm a work in progress, y'all. 

I'd love for you to share what YOU are currently doing!

Thankful

This is the latest edition of our NISD Library Showcase.  Each school librarian in the district contributes a few pics of some of the amazingness going on at the library. I hope you enjoy it!