Slice of Life, Day 31--"March 2019: Recorded"

**As I write this Slice I have my cell phone cuddled up next to me, waiting to hear if I got the house I put in an offer on...I hope I know before I hit publish. ;) **

This has been the most different year of slicing for me in 6 years. I had a flow for 5 of them: stories embedded in my day, descriptions ready to go by evening. Honestly, it was never really hard for me to find gems to write about.

This year was the opposite.

I struggled every. single. day. I prayed no one would read what I published.

In retrospect, though, I learned something; March 2019 was recorded as it happened in real life. 

     -It's not fun for me to house hunt, much less relive the ups and downs in a blog each night. I tried to limit the posts, but I know it dominated my writing, just as it dominated my life.

    -When you're laser-focused on something, you miss the little things that creep through your day. I would get through my day, only to find that I could hardly remember the little things I would normally write about, much less enough to blog about them.

    -I was entirely and completely exhausted most of the time. My posts reflected that, both in creatively, length, and subject matter.

    -The community is so worth pushing through the hard times...for me, anyway. I look forward to seeing the "familiar faces" around each year.

    -I'll be back next year, no doubt. Tuesdays, no promises....I always say I will, but realistically this is just not the year to even try. I know it'd be totally worth it, but no resolutions this year for me.

So, in hindsight, I may not be proud of my writing, but I am more proud than ever that I did it. And, you know, it's called "Slice of Life" for a reason, and when looking back, it may have been a "not so shiny" month for me, but it was a Slice of MY Life.

March 2019: Recorded and in the books. Year 6 done! Yea!

Congrats to all my fellow slicers!

**And, no, the realtor still hasn't called, but it'll be okay. It seems appropriate to end on a suspended note, a breath held...that's been March for me! Cheers to next year and new houses and sleep!! :)**

Slice of Life, Day 30-- "Another House Offer...But with a touch of MAGIC"

I made another house offer today.

I fell for it the minute I walked in.

The character, the charm...the storage! Oh my!

It all created the perfect storm of loveliness.


I drove home, wondering,

Was I right to offer higher than I intended to?

Were the little quirks going to make me crazy someday?

Was the yard big enough for my puppy?


And then, as we discussed logistics on the phone,

Prices, disclosures, words I didn't know...

A touch of magic came from the sky

A little confirmation that all would be well.


A storm of a different kind, but so very lovely.

A flurry of snow that turned into a windy blizzard.

And I was reminded of how lucky snow is for me,

So that nerves faded, confidence emerged, and papers were signed.


A snow storm that said to me,

"Peace, Be Still--I've got this."

In a week of 60 degree temps,

Unexpected snow signals from above, covering my heart in quiet thankfulness.

Slice of Life, Day 29---"All Finished!"

In my new District, we take several hours of classes to onboard every new employees and teach the principles and standards that we are expected to uphold.

Frankly, I've been dreading it, thinking that it would be similar to the good ole' Philosophy of Education course we all took back in the college days. So, electing to get it all done in one week instead of spreading it out over a year of night classes....I started on Monday and finished up today.

The experience could not have been more different than I expected. Instead of being filled with first-year teachers and feeling out of place among 22-year olds, I found a mix of disciplines, ages, teaching experiences, and viewpoints.

There were very few things that were taught that either were not a good review or reminder and/or were extremely helpful in navigating a new District.

And our facilitators were fabulous! They were clearly intentionally chosen for their experience across many grade levels and their depth of knowledge.

I did feel a sense of accomplishment at having finished up today, but also the satisfying feeling of having not wasted one whole week of my Spring Break.

I'm equipped with the tools I need, energized with the passion of my fellow colleagues, and, most importantly to me, knowledgeable about what success looks like in my new District.

I love that feeling...and I'm all done! Yea! ✅✅

Slice of Life, Day 28--"Almost There"

As I watch the days of March slowly tick away, I am disappointed in myself by how glad I will be when this challenge is done. I've never felt this way; in fact, last year, I remember thinking how much easier it was at year 5!

Year 6 has been a different beast. I remember some years in the past being more difficult than others, but it wasn't the same...I was still proud of my writing. This year I secretly hope no one reads what I write.

I know I'll be back next year.

I know March 31st will feel amazing and reflective, as usual.

I know April 1st will be a little empty without slicing, like normal.

I know that this is just a 2019 thing...

But, it's sad nonetheless. I hate it when I can't put my best foot forward, and this year has been so far from my best.

But, maybe it's my best for now. Maybe that is worth recording. March 2019 wasn't my best year of slicing, but I still showed up.

Surely, there's a mini-lesson for our writers in there somewhere, right? ;)

Slice of Life, Day 27--"A Moment of Relief"

I got a call from my realtor this afternoon, and despite feeling icky, I went to see yet another house. I didn't really have the emotional or physical energy to get into this one, but I knew I had to do it. 

It checked all the boxes. I could have been the one for me, but I walked away. 

I can't explain why, except it just didn't "feel right." It bothered me that I couldn't pull the trigger on something that looked so right on paper.

I think I'm so used to just "making things work" that I forget that a house SHOULD be an emotionally fun and exciting purchase. It's not a classroom that I get assigned to and make work...it's my home.

In the end, I can always tell when I've made the right decision by how I feel afterwards, and how do I feel right now?

Relieved.

Whew! The search continues... ;)

Slice of Life, Day 26--"A Friendly Face That I Didn't Remember!"

My hand was raised with computer problems, again, in my Professional Development classes today.

Suddenly, "Hi, Katy!"

I looked back at the unfamiliar face smiling at me---someone who clearly knew me, but that I did not recognize! Panic!

(This happens quite a bit to me this year, as I've traveled around my new District meeting a ton of new people, but remembering a shameful number of names and faces. It's a problem.)

I tried harder, but still could not place this friendly face.

She smiled again, and said, "You don't remember me, do you?" I finally shook my head, sheepishly. "We sat next to each other at the Christmas party, remember?"

And then I did remember.

In December, I was invited to the Christmas party for people in the District who travel around like me. Only, most of the invitees were instructional coaches, curriculum specialists, etc...and then there was me: the Title I teacher for Non-Public Schools. I RSVPed "no" because I was too scared to go meet a bunch of people I didn't know in a place I felt I didn't belong. I was afraid of being around all the people who intimidate me, especially in a new District.

A kind colleague changed my mind, and I had a wonderful time. It was a party full of laughter, smiles, and warmth.

But, mostly, I remember how I felt: WELCOMED.

This lady, unfamiliar today, made a huge difference in my experience at my new District that day. During a vulnerable time for me, a scary moment, she (and many others) made me feel like I belonged.

I apologized over and over today for not remembering her face, but made sure she knew that I remembered her and her kindness to me that day.

Belonging is important, even for adults! I hope I make others feel like that.

Slice of Life, Day 25--"My Day in Thoughts"

This was my day of PD, tutoring, and house hunting...narrated by my random thoughts...

5:30 a.m. WHY? WHY?? WHY is my alarm going off on the first Monday of Spring Break?

5:32 a.m. I guess it was MY idea to do all these classes during one week instead of spreading it out...

7:30 a.m. Can I really be running behind? I'm leaving 30 minutes later than usual...

8:00 a.m. Where to sit? Where to sit??!! Seats become permanent at PD!!!

8:30 a.m. I need more coffee...

8:45 a.m. I'm into this topic! Yea!

11:00 a.m. (driving by homes during lunch break) This is definitely NOT the house of my dreams. Another one bites the dust.

2:00 p.m. Out of PD early! Let's see if my tutoring gig can meet early!

3:33 p.m. I love tutoring English Language Learners...so. much. fun!

4:00 p.m. I'm headed home when my tutoring normally starts! YESSSS!

4:30-8:30 p.m. (realtor website...check for new listings) Not that one, not that one...maybe that one...house hunting looks so much more fun on HGTV....