We're doing things a little differently in our ward.

I was released from Music a week ago.  Here is my favorite memory.

I was the chorister for sacrament meeting, and the opening hymn was "How Firm a Foundation"
After singing it, we had ward business, etc.
Then the bishopric member that was conducing stands up to tell us the next hymn for the sacrament.
"We're going to do the sacrament a little differently today.  We will prepare for the sacrament by singing hymn number 85, "How Firm a Foundation."

Maybe you had to be there. But it was pretty awkward.  So I stood up and pointed to the display and we sang a sacrament hymn.

My nephew is adorable

"How come grampa jabs food in his mouth and chews it so fast making this sound (Makes loud chomping sound)"

I laugh

"How COME?!"

(pictured left)

This spelling test won

Nature

One thing I don't do enough is observe.
Mostly in nature.
Today I was just driving slowly down a residential road.  Obviously en route home.  I like to take the back way because there is less to deal with.  Less traffic.  Less traffic lights.  Less people.
I like to look up at the tall trees lining the roads and specifically notice the gradual change on a single tree...from green to vibrant oranges, light yellows, or bold reds.

And that is what I feel is lacking when I go to a large city.  There is nature there, but not enough to really notice.  There are some exceptions, but you know what I mean.
Being indoors and with winter coming up...I'm really trying to soak all the beauty in.  Snow is beautiful, but it overstays its welcome...
I find it interesting that we feel closest to God when we are surrounded by His creations.   How often I overlook them and take for granted those opportunities to feel peace.

I am a believer of Abnormal J's

During silent reading time, a student (male) walks up to me with a thoughtful look on his face.

"Miss Shumway I just noticed something.  All the J's in the room are not normal.  They are all cursive or written in a weird way or something like that.  I just was looking around at all the J's and that is what I noticed."

The thought going through my mind was: "I can relate.  I would do the same thing with the letter H... But why J?  Your name doesn't even start with J, why do you care about J?"

Oh, I know.  You sit next to Josie.  Remember your elementary school crushes?

High Heels according to a fifth grade boy

"High heels look really fun.  They have this thing that comes down from the bottom of the shoe with this pad on the bottom and they could be used for like...stilts."

Kina Grannis

Naps

I don't usually share my soul through poetry, so consider this a treat...or a trick

naps are good
naps are great
specially during
my fall break

Ok now I'm wondering why humans don't hibernate?  

Swiss Dias

I saw this painted tin art at Swiss Days in Midway over Labor Day weekend.  I haven't stopped thinking about it since.  I got some great frames, earrings, stickers for nails (tat-toes.) All these things didn't cost very much and so I felt justified in indulging myself.  But not the painted tin. 

Go to this website and check out their stuff.  Let me know if you are breaking the commandment of coveting like me.  So I can have your company with my misery.  Or give me thousands of dollars.

(Um...seriously click on those links up at the top, I LOVE MY EARRINGS and FRAMES and those stickers stayed on for FIVE WEEKS on my toe nails.)

Pinterest

I refuse to join.  It seems like a bad idea.  Maybe when school is out next summer.

I admit I went on the site just barely to get this link.

Another couple reasons why my job is the best

When I walk by a line of second graders and hear one of them whisper excitedly: "She's the BEST!"

And then coming in from lunch and finding this note on my desk (typed just as she wrote it):

Dear Mis. Shumway
You are a great teacher the best the kids that get you next year will be really lucky.
You understand every thing, likes, dislikes, reading, Math, and thinking.
You can help any Student in the hole world.
You rock have a good school year.
Love your very happy Student
P.S. I loved eating lunch with you
(I let my kids eat lunch with me when their table wins most points)

Isn't that adorable? I literally felt like warm soft cotton fill my heart.

My nephew, after meeting a date

8 years old, wise beyond his years.
He met a guy I went on a couple dates with, and I asked him what he thought and if he had any advice. Just to see what he would say. Here's some snippets of a beautiful conversation:

• "He probably really likes you because he asked you out."
• "You should maybe ask him on a date next so he knows you like him."
• "You guys will probably get married next summer."
• "If you want it to work out, don't fight while you are dating. If you fight while you are dating, it probably won't last."
• "If you want to stay married, don't fight for at least the first year. After the first year it's ok."

The FLUSHER!!!!!!

Once the principal announced my name, dozens of kids ran to line up. They wanted to throw the ball that hit the target that got me soaking. I wore a swim cap and goggles...so glad that I did.

The best part of it all was that I loved it. I liked acting scared, egging the kids on, teasing them, and letting them push it if they missed. (only if they had been or were my students though :)

OK that's not me in this picture, it's my principal that borrowed my swim cap. Same dif.

This morning

I added two halloween oreos to my protein shake.

Blue Planet

So I uploaded a bunch of Blue Planet vids to my laptop...and I decided tonight that whenever I can't sleep I'll watch them.

Well I just watched the "Amazon Abyss." Like I feel like going to sleep now. Heck NO! Sweet little nightmarluby. (like lullaby but nightmarelaby?)

The last clip was of a bunch of Paranas devouring a large dead fish they put down in the water. So awesomely disturbing. Maybe that one was the worst of all the Blue Planets.

Sundance Harvest

Today my mommy, aunt, and cousins Al & Court went to the Sundance Harvest Market. The Market was o.k. and the only reason why I didn't hate it was because they had owls, mini owls, and hawks there! So beautiful to observe. Last but not least, the lift was AMAZING!

mmmm cozy wozy

so fresh and free

I am suffering

from a mild concussion.

The worst part of it is how it happened. My co-workers joke that it sounds just like a story a fifth grader would tell.



I was playing in my friend's back yard. We were playing a spinning game we like to call "teacups"
She dared me to go over her footbridge playing teacups. So I did and she followed, spinning across the river. I was spinning slowly but decided to go a bit faster, seeing I was about over. Well I flew toward the river, hit my head on a rock, my heel on another, and splash. My bottom half was soaked and my head had hot liquid coming out. I didn't black out or anything, but driving the next day and the random tears show that I probably should just take it easy. I'm glad I didn't bite off my tongue or die or anything.

New York tastes good.

We did a bunch of other fun stuff that I look back on and really enjoy. But my favorite things were pretty basic. Like just walking around Central Park and the city. Oh and eating. I took a picture of everything I ate. Here are my favorites. Now you just have to go to New York and try them!

Breakfast

raspberry crumble muffin from Magnolia Bakery


Eggs Flourentine from Norma's. Those are widdle potatoes. Aren't they adorable?

Chocolate Decadence French Toast from Norma's
Alex Guarnaschelli is in chocoholic heaven at Norma's at Le Parker Meridien in New York, NY, with the Chocolate Decadence French Toast, on the best thing I ever ate.



Pizza

Margarita from Grimaldi's. The best pizza in the world in my humble opinion.


White Pizza from Grimaldi's, the best pizza I've ever had...tied with the above.


Margarita from Lombardi's, the father of pizza in NYC


Boba


Sammiches

Pastrami "Reuben" at Katz's Deli...meat was a bit dry but the experience of going after seeing it on tv was fantastic. The "pastrami reverand" that was on emeril loved me.


Cheese sandwich from E.A.T. Cafe. Best "cheesy" thing Barefoot Contessa has ever ate.


Dessert

Crack Pie from Momofuku milk bar. Addicting? Yes. I get weekly shipments. jk but I should.


Pastries


Red Velvet Cake from Cake Man Raven. Best red velvet in the world...other than my mom's.


More pastries. Ferrara Bakery.
Ferrara Bakery in New York, NY is a favorite of Alex Guarnaschelli on Food Network's The Best Thing I Ever Ate.


I am proud to say I gained 10 pounds within that 5 day period. And I've lost 7 since. I'll keep the existing 3 as a souvenir.