the garbage truck

I got this in a forward from a friend. I thought it rang true to my new outlook on life.


I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his breaks, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was really friendly.

So I asked, 'Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!' This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, 'The Law of the Garbage Truck.'
He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you. Don't take it personally. Just smile, wave , wish them well and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets.

The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day. Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so..... 'Love the people who treat you right. Pray for the ones who don't.

again. . .where does time go?

So, I've gotten a position at Cooper's elementary school as the after school band teacher (well, really, its group instrument instruction, but who's counting) It's only five hours a week, and I can easily fit it into my teaching at home. It's fun working with groups, and getting into band instruments again is a plus. (ok ok, it's also great money!)

It's funny working at the school I went to. Walking down the hallways I walked so many years ago, this time as the teacher instead of the student. Even more wild, is seeing teachers and administrators there that actually remember me from my HD days. When someone gives me the "Oh my god, it's Sue Maine!" I tell them it makes me feel old. Yeah yeah they say, really it makes them feel much older.

Today I had to go to the third floor (now the SAU office, it used to be the 8th grade classrooms when I was there) to fill out some paper work. On the way up, I passed Cooper walking to computer class.

I passed my son in the hallway of my old school.

Woah.

once again, Cooper stands out in the crowd

Ok, really, this is more of a brag about Cooper amazing taste buds, then my food preparation skills. So, remember the phone call from Cooper's teacher about his healthy lunches? Being a true Maine woman, I have taken this compliment with great stride, and force myself to work harder and harder to make even more diverse, healthy lunches.

This is Cooper's lunch today. Humus and Tabouli on whole wheat pita bread. A hard boiled egg (which, is more often then not pickled in pickled beat juice- again, his choice!) grapes, a cheese stick, and cashews and pretzels. Then for his afternoon snack he's got an apple and a granola bar.

Really, I ask you, what five year old eats like this?

it's officially fall

Yup, mark your calendar, it must be fall, because I'm knitting again! You know it's officially winter, when I'm knitting in front of the fire :)

my new mantra

Turning thirty for me this year was truly great. Yeah, there was plenty of build up- all the "so, are you freaking out about turning 30?" questions got to me a bit, which made the weeks leading up to my birthday a bit tense. But honestly, I'm thrilled to be thirty. I'm just where I want to be in life. I've got a wonderful husband, two happy, healthy children. I live in a beautiful home in the woods, close to all my family.

I've taken on a new "mantra" of sorts. I've decided I'm going to choose to let things roll off my back, let go of the bad and embrace the good. I think that most all of the good things that happen to a person, are a result of choosing to be happy. You cannot control what happens to you, only your response. Holding on to grievances, and negative thoughts just waste energy. I'm spending far, less energy being happy, then being angry, regretful and bitter. Actually, choosing to be happy recharges my energy.

So here it is, my motto:

Being happy is a life choice, not a side effect.

the first call from Cooper's teacher

Last night, the phone rang around 8:30. Aaron brought me the phone, and looking at the caller ID, my heart skipped a beat. It was Cooper's Kindergarten teacher, this can't be good. I tentatively answered the phone, and heard:

"Hi Suzanne, it's Mrs. Wheeler. . .No, nothing is wrong with Cooper"

Apparently, she knows what goes through a parents head when the teacher calls them at home. She was calling to comment on Cooper's lunches (I pack him a lunch every day) Her exact word were:

"Cooper's lunches are inspirational, if a five year old can eat a hummus and tabouli sandwich, so can I"

I generally let Cooper pick out his lunch, as he has very healthy taste :) He likes raw veggies and hummus, cheese, some kind of sandwich, and a granola bar. His teacher even told me that Cooper said he can't have chocolate milk because the sugar makes him crazy.

good boy!

finally, we're good luck for the sox!

I've only been to three Red Sox games at Fenway Park, and until last night, I've been horrible luck, and they've lost. Last night, we kicked some Baltimore butt, and won 14-2!! We had amazing seats, and stayed the night in Boston- a little late birthday getaway for me. I thought I'd post about it, and include the view from our amazing seats, and a picture of Aaron and I , as I can't remember the last time we took a picture of us together (you know, without a kid / dog / garden / house in the picture also)