My Real Life

1. What terrifies you the most?

Something happening to the monkeys.

The fear can be paralyzing.

I’m not the kind of mom who wraps my kids in bubble wrap.

I encourage them to take risks, even when I know it will mean they might fall.

It’s the only way you learn to get up again.

I am simply terrified of something out of my control happening to the monkeys.

The hurricane has brought those fears to the forefront.

The two little boys who were killed while playing in their room and a tree fell on the house.

The two little boys who were swept right out of their mothers arms as a wave hit them on Staten Island where there should never, ever have been a wave.

My tornado dreams always involve me being apart from at least two of the kids and I don’t know if they are safe.

It is 100%, absolutely my biggest fear.

2. Favorite fall/winter drink? 

I really love hot apple cider as well as hot chocolate.

If I had to choose between them?

Probably the hot apple cider.

Because it still tastes good if you let it sit too long and hot chocolate…not so good when it goes cold.
3. Do you and your spouse have the same political views?

On some issues.

We can have some good discussions about the topics on which we disagree, and I think that’s healthy.

If you surround yourself with people who think the same as you do, you never grow.

So, there’s growth over here.

There’s growth.

4. What was the last book you read? Was it any good?

The last book I read was something by Nora Roberts, the title of which I can’t remember.

I picked it up at the church bazaar two weekends ago and read it in a day.

Easy read, good read.

I’m on page 50  of “The Mark of Athena” by Rick Riordan, but just haven’t had the time to dedicate to finishing it.

Yes, I could have finished that instead of the Nora Roberts but…well…I didn’t.

I love the Rick Riordan books, but this one just hasn’t grabbed me yet.

Gotta read it, though, as all of my students are reading it and I like to know what they are reading.

5. Do you look forward to the snow each winter? Why or why not?

I do.

I love snow outside because of what happens inside.

I love snuggling under blankets, looking out the window at the snow falling.

I love hot chocolate and popcorn with the monkeys.

There’s something about reading in front of a fire while the snow falls outside that just makes me feel warm inside.

I love the excitement that the monkeys display when the snow is coming, and love watching them out in it, once it’s here.

Do I look forward to the snow each winter.

Yep.

Daily Gratitude, Day 2

Today, I am grateful that an Ohio Edison truck just pulled up my street.  We have a generator, so the van doesn’t make me think “Phewf!  Power!”  It’s the fact that the power companies are pulling in their guys from all over the country, and that those people from all over the country are willing to drive to NJ to fix a problem that is not theirs warms my heart.  I’m grateful for the kindness of strangers.