Working girl

I got a job outside the home.
I am a support staff sub at the area school district.
Sometimes a get three calls a week. Sometimes I get zero calls a week.

This week I have been a secretary and a special ed assistant.

Every time they call me I have a minor freak out.  I never know where I will go or what I will be doing.
Every day is a first day at a job.
I can say 'no' to the computerized caller...and sometimes I am too scared or off kilter to say yes.

What would make me off kilter?
They call at 5:00am
Or they call and say to be there in half an hour and I am at Target.
And since it is not a person, I can't discuss the assignment.
And I like to ask questions.

The school schedule (Katie hours) is one of the main reasons I chose to look for a job at a school.
Besides I have a little experience teaching and helping kiddos.  Yesterday I did a lot of reading and counting and it felt very natural to be doing that.

So the working has been nice.  The people and the kids have been nice.
But the five am wake up calls are not my cup of tea.  Especially because I wake up at five and do not get a call on those days!!  And I can not get back to sleep.

I have applied to a more steady position at a school l like very much...but I have not heard back about it.  I hope that one works out.  I think I would be much less nervous working at the same place with the same people at the same times....

Going back to work after being away rattles my nerves. I can't wait to get home.
The days seem incredibly long.

 Katie is my biggest cheerleader so that is sweet.  She is only inconvenienced by having to find a ride to school if I have to go earlier than she does and she does not mind that at all.
 I think she is proud of me.

I'm not proud tho, more in a state of shock or disbelief that I have a job.

It's too hard for me to explain why this has been such a big deal for me.
But I'm coming around and accepting this new role I need to play.



“The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.” 
Alan W. Watts






A very favorite dance.
Singing in the Rain is about change...Don and Cosmo are learning to speak well since they are going from Silent Movies to Talkies. :o)



Encourage one another,
Donna

Granny for President

Last night's Downton Abbey had me laughing out loud.  I know you all just love every line Violet speaks...but last night I found her incredibly funny....and wise.

I happen to agree with her ideas about the giving away of our power and voice and freedom to the government....so when she finally explained her reasons for resisting the takeover of the local hospital I was nodding my head and thinking about our schools...etc.  Not to get all political..which I hate.  I will just say, I think Granny was coming from a place of wisdom and forethought.


Other quick thoughts and faves from last night;

Anna and Mary rushing to London.
Happy. So happy.
Matthew Goode showing up and being so stoic...but I know
this kind of boring persona can not last long.   He needs his hair mussed tho.
Daisy being too bossy.  I didn't like it.
Still made the kind farmer is gone.  Dumb wife. Dumb Edith.
I can't stand everyone being so mean to Thomas.
I like his Aunt so much.  (forgetting her name)
Lots of shots from above to show opulence last night.
The dialog is spiced with the sayings of the day. It was especially noticeable last night.
This show is going out on a glorious high note.
Thanks Downton.  Beautiful in so many ways.


What do you think?
What did I forget?


Encourage one another,
Donna

no worries

“We spend precious hours fearing the inevitable. It would be wise to use that time adoring our families, cherishing our friends and living our lives.”  

~Maya Angelou

Words.

Last week our friend Di shared this portion of the Book of Common Prayer with CarolB as she was walking her beloved sister home.


Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work,
or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge
over those who sleep.
Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary,
bless the dying, soothe the suffering,
pity the afflicted, shield the joyous, and all for your love's sake.
Amen
(Compline BOCP)




Which makes me remember these comforting words.


Have courage for the great sorrows of life and patience for the small ones; and when you have
laboriously accomplished your daily task, go to sleep in peace.  God is awake."
~Victor Hugo





And in April 2010, when my sister was dying....

Once upon a time my parents died. I was 16 years old.

I learned that life is short and beautiful and that you have to make the

decision to live and love abundantly.

And with the birth of our children the love poured out

and life was full of life and love.

And then our sister got sick and I reminded myself that life

is short and beautiful and that I have to make the decision

again to live and love abundantly.

And yesterday came the phone call,

a little boy is on the way....

a little boy to love.

and suffering and joy lived side by side in my heart and I knew that the only way to live is

to love and live abundantly because life is short and beautiful.

Encourage one another.

Love.

Mean it.

Donna Elsie

Let the sun shine in....

finally.

today.

thankful

beautiful

sigh.

Adele, James and Blair Walsh.

Two videos for you today.

The first is James Corden with Adele.  Carpool Karaoke!!!
James has a talk show that is on pretty late.  He was the baker in Into the Woods.
He is quite famous in England and gaining popularity here in the states...especially because of this funny, happy bit he does on his show.  They are also hugely popular on YouTube.  You can find them all there....

Adele has just the best voice and a fantastic, real personality.  I like her better than the songs she puts on her albums.  But I really don't want to say anything bad about her....cause she's great and I think there must be something wrong with me.





"Is it a Mom-bob?"



****


On Sunday with seconds to go in the game and only behind by one point Blair Walsh kicked a field goal for the win...but he missed.  The Vikings season was over.
He should have made it, but he didn't.
These children (and their awesome teacher) offer him a big dose of kindness and learned about empathy.

My two favorite things.





Good stuff for a Friday!
With love.

Donna


P.s.  Our friend Carol B's sweet sister Margo passed away this week.
If you could remember her in your prayers and when you sing a beautiful hymn this week I know that would be much appreciated.  I know she will feel the love we send.

Downton and Aroundton

I think the Downton Abbey writers are remarkable!
They can make me hate or love someone in the blink of an eye.
I would NEVER have imagined I would say this...
But one of the most lovely things I have ever heard in my life about marriage and love was said by Bates to Anna this week.

Anna fears she can not have children. More than fears she is certain of it and VERY depressed about it.  She thinks she has destroyed Bates' whole life by not being able to carry a child to term.

Finally Bates looks gently at her and says,

"To me we are one person,  and that person can't have children."

So beautiful I could cry.  And I did a little to be sure.

Other highlights in this quiet and intimate episode....

~Mary offers to help Anna and lists her own many mistakes!
~Carson being mean to Thomas makes me sad and I feel sorry for Thomas.
~Mrs Hughes being snarky about Mary makes me think less of Mrs. Hughes.
~Edith ruins lives by being selfish.  I'm mad at Edith.
~The farmers wife needs to snap out of it.  I'm frustrated with her too.
~The fact that Mr. Drew needs to move is beyond awful.
~Can they not see this is the same thing as Daisy's father-in-law being displaced.
~Will they give farm to Daisy's father in law?
~Still not happy about it.
~ I don't know what is going on with the hospital.
~I like that the women are making headway in the running of things.
~I don't like the dresses but I like the hats.

What were your impressions of Sunday night's episode?

*******


Around town....

My sister Janet and I made Italian Beef on the same day.  We didn't know it.  We were chatting/texting and I told her how good my house smelled and she instantly sent me a picture of her crock pot with the same things in it.  How weird is that?

Playing catch with a snowball.

She is an excellent catcher!

It was time for a new tote.  Katie had this made for me.  I love it.

Sometimes at the grocery store I sign my name Donna Boo. 

Those electronic pens are so awful to write with I like to shorten it up.....and it gives me a little thrill.

Easily amused.

Oh!  I watched a movie some of you might light. (I've watched a ton that you would not like...)

It is the famous story "Far from the Madding Crowd."

I liked the actors and the story and the look of the film.  It's available on Netflix for free...and possibly elsewhere.

What does Madding Crowd mean?

That's all for now.

Encourage one another,

Donna Boo

Golden Globe red carpet 2016

At first glance...from the passenger seat of our car, I didn't like what I saw of the fashions.  As the night went on and I settled into my spot on the couch....I found plenty of pretty dresses and handsome tuxes.

Yes. A tux or two this year.  How special.

So pretty.  I always want to see dresses in pastels.  Queen Latifah looks beautiful.

Amy Adams looks perfect. I love her hair down.  The Golden Globes are less formal than the Oscars so her hair is great for this occasion.  Red heads and orange...who knew....but man, she looks amazing.

Zendaya in an interesting dress. I like it a lot.  Just spotted it on a worst dress list.  

Ah well. That's the fun of doing this on my blog :o)

Miz Tatum. Amazing gown!  

I like Kevin Harts green tux.  I do like his whole look.  He is a comedian after all and doesn't need to be dressed super classic.  His date is spectacular and I love her dress.

Not sure who this grumpy gus is BUT of course I like this dress! 

I looked it up, her name is Eva Green and yes, that's Elie Saab.  My favorite.

This girl.  You must meet.  She is the IT girl of the moment.  She was nominate for two Golden Globes last night and I recently saw her on something on Netflix...so I recognized her.

Her name is Alicia Vikander and she is from Sweden.

I love a ruffle.

You might know this young man from Creed or the Wire or Friday Night Lights...or All My Children.  :o}

Michael B. Jordan.  

That's a wonderful looking Tux!

Another excellent choice.  ha.

Sam Heughan from Outlander.  This could be better....He could be wearing a kilt.

Orlando Bloom looking very handsome.  The tux is perfect and his hair is very nice.

Very cool choice for another comedian.  Aziz Ansari.  I love the pattern.  I love how slim he is and how perfect his suit fits him. ...and the cute expression in this picture.  And the way he has his hair brushed is very Cary Grant in my eyes.

Very good.

I just liked them as a couple.

Them too.

I don't know the rules..but I like that white suit.  It's kind of a winter white.

And the winner is....

Amber Heard in Gucci.  

It's different enough and classic enough.  Katie thought her lipstick was perfect.  

I would have been fine with a little less formal hair...

but gosh...that dress is super pretty!

What were your favorites?

I had four more white dresses pinned...but decided to just put my favorite.

Did you like the crop tops?

They didn't make my list.

Oh. Award show season....I love you for your fashion!

XOXO

Miz Booshay

for a dreary day

“A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of his life, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul.” 
~Goethe


Encourage one another,
Donna

American Idol. Final Season.

Happy Hump day!

What I'm excited about today is American Idol is starting tonight! It is the final season.

I just love the judges and so look forward to this!









Here Phillip Phillips sings Home. I loved it immediately.   I would guess that this is the most successful original song ever written for a musical contest show.  It was on every commercial and on the radio for a few years!





Falling slowly. Crystal Bowersox and Lee Dewyze.
So good.

I like when I hear a song for the first time and love it right away.
That does not happen so much.


I've only skipped one season of American Idol.  It was the year that Carrie Underwood won.
That's funny to me.  Something was bugging me that year but I can't remember.  Someone I liked probably got booted off and I got mad.
Harrumph.
I can be that way.

I'm still not a fan of the Voice.

I'm sticking with my Idols.... even tho most viewers have abandoned ship.

That's okay.
I knows what I like.

XOXO
Donna

Highlight of 2015

In pictures....




Time with the girls...





A turnabout dance with friends....





Me and Katie eating at the best place in town.
Dumpling Haus at Hilldale shopping center.




Katie and her dear Aunt Susan at confirmation.






Masters for Emma




proud. relieved. happy.








Finally getting to Omaha to see the babies....and their parents.





First ever. First place.  Exciting.





Quiet Life get together. Di Wheeler came to Wisconsin and these gals stopped by to meet her and chat for a bit.




A visit from Patrick.







Even tho having a house full at Christmas may be loud...I do not care.
This is how I will remember it.



*****

Downton Abbey's 6th and final season began last night.
It was wonderful. It had the feel of the first few seasons.
I have mourned Matthew's death for over two years and have not forgiven
Dan Stevens for leaving the show...but every thing else was on point and I was happily distracted by many other good parts last night.

I shed a tear or two and even giggled one or twice.
And I didn't hate Bates.  So dang happy they are done with all of that depressing stuff.

Bring on the joy and humor and beautiful music.

......

that goes for YOU 2016 too.

Bring on the joy.
the love.
the laughs
and the beauty.


Encourage one another,
Donna