Ms Millie and Friends

Today is my youngest grandchild’s first day of kindergarten.  Sam,  I understand from his Mom is all cool about the whole thing but Mom had tears in her eyes.  I  can relate as I recall  those days many years back when my first son started school.  “Where has the time gone and when did my child get this big?”.  We truly think we want them to grow up fast,  but when we actually see it happening,  we seem to change our tune.

The other big event is my granddaughter Desiree who gave me the name “Nana Banana” when she had turned two years of age.  I was up there for her birthday in New York on this day and she hadn’t seen me for awhile and was curious about what she should call me.   I kiddingly said my name is  Nana like Nana Banana.   Well  Desiree looked up at me and then gave me a cute smile and left the room.  It seemed only minutes later when she returned with a sheepish grin on her face and handed me a wooden ice cream stick with a picture of a chiquita banana pasted on it.  This is for you Nana Banana and hence my name became Nana Banana for all of these years.

Today, Desiree is 21 and I am wondering when and how did all of these years pass so quickly?   It brings to mind the saying ” in a blink of an eye, they are all grown up.”   She will be graduating college next May and planning to be married on June 5 2011.  And this too  will be another special day to celebrate and be with family and friends.   I just love happy events!

Current Mood: Esctatic

The hurricanes went out to sea fortunately and everyone seemed to have great weather for the last weekend of summer.  I had a good time relaxing, doing my exercise and also volunteering at the gift shop on Saturday afternoon.

It is an enjoyable time for me as I get to meet people from all walks of life and chat for a few minutes.  A favorite for me is hearing about their whereabouts and where they are from.  This week I will be back in the gift shop on Wednesday afternoon to fill in for a vacationing volunteer and then again on Saturday.  Tomorrow I get to visit my first graders and hear about their long weekend.

Life is good and I hope your weekend went well, too!

Current Mood: Happy

The news is speaking of names like Earl and Fiona that can play havoc with everyone’s nerves as they are planning for the Labor Day weekend.  Just knowing  that these particular names are attached to pending hurricanes is stressful.  Ms Millie’s  immediate concern is  for my family on the East Coast out on Long Island.  It seems that Florida’s Gulf coast is in the safe zone for now but we all know how Mother Nature works, don’t we?

In a matter of minutes she can change her course!

So my thoughts and prayers will be for everyone this weekend to enjoy the last days of summer with some sun- fun-and safety, too.

Happy Labor Day and smile.

Current Mood: rolleyes

Crazy title for a odd ball day that started with a ninety minute class of power yoga.  Each week,  I find I am able to add a pose to the very many that we do and I enjoy challenging myself.  My planks have definitely made my arms stronger and I truly believe the downward dogs are stretching me  to the point of believing that perhaps I have grown an inch or two.  I don’t believe that is possible but what I do know is that I am standing taller with an improved spine alignment.   It just happens to be one of the many perks of practicing Yoga.

With lots of energy and a clear mind I headed for the elementary school.  Once there I spent two hours working with the students on their list of sight words,  and the results were great.  Most of them have been practicing at home and it shows as they share their results.   They love to compete with each other and I feel it gives them an incentive to use their skills to their upmost.  I left for home with a great feeling of accomplishment to have some lunch and take a break before my appointment at 4.

It has been two weeks since my last acupuncture treatment and my breathing capacity has vastly improved along with my physical endurance and superior circulation.  Linda recommended some additional pins to be placed in other areas just to help continue my awesome progress.  Some of  new places were  my forehead, both cheeks of my face and the side of my nose.  These  positions were to help with the allergy season approaching and prevent sinus congestion.  I  had wished I had brought my camera as I think it would have made for a funny but frightful photo.  My next appointment will be two weeks from today and I look forward to some more good results.

That’s it for today and don’t forget to smile .

Current Mood: Playful

This seems to be the happiest time of the year for Ms Millie as I turn the door knob to enter the classroom where I will be meeting 15-18 new friends.  I admit I do get a little nervous but once I see their adorable faces and inquisitive eyes I am excited and smile my biggest smile.  Julie introduces me to the first graders and then explains to me what they will be learning and where I can be of  help.   This class is composed of 6-7 year old children and they have just begun to write and learn about punctuation.

I feel honored to be involved once again at Marlowe Elementary.  It is like my second home and I feel so comfortable in this role.  When I think that it has been seven years since that wonderful day back in 2003.  That is when my friend Merrily asked if I would like volunteer for her at Marlowe.   There have been so many wonderful changes that it has made in my life.

The best part is that I have met and bonded with many, many children throughout these seven years.  Each child has made an imprint in my mind and many have touched my heart, too.  I am fortunate to have class pictures hanging on my wall right near my computer and I can always look back and remember each wonderful child.  The first students are now in middle school looking like young men and young ladies, that they are.

These children are our future ambassadors, educators, scientists, doctors or whatever they might choose.  And I am happy to know that I played a tiny part in their beginning years of education.

This will be another wonderful school year at Marlowe.  I just love making all these new little friends!

Current Mood: Esctatic