Tired of reading the same blogs every day?  Want to be inspired by other great writers and thinkers? Then why not link up with Clairejustine and mamawolfe for our Wednesday Blog Hop?

For this week only, I have been kindly asked to co-host with Clairejustine.  By reading her blog, clairejustineoxox, we’ve become new blogging friends, even though we live in different countries!  She loves to write about her family, running, baking, creating unique clothing from vintage finds, photography…in other words, she’s a woman of many talents!

2.Link up your blog to the linky below.

3.Visit some other blogs, follow ones you like and make new friends.  Please leave meaningful comments-we’re interested in building relationships here.

4.Please only family friendly blogs only.

 

After maternity leave, I’m still getting the hang of getting out of the house on time each morning. I’m up early enough to have some ‘me’ time – 5:30 a.m. – before the pitter patter of my 23-month-old boy’s feet signal the start of mommy-time.  Must plan Cameron’s birthday party for next weekend, I think. Coffee made, candles lit, I start up the desktop as part of my morning ritual, eager to check email and read the news.   Having children broke us of our TV news habit when we realized they were transfixed with images of stark reality we were trying so desperately to shelter them from.

 

 

A breaking news alert flashes into my inbox – “Plane crashes into building in New York.”  Hmm.  I’ve never been to New York.  Worlds away from my cozy study.  I hope it’s nothing serious.

 

Pitter patter pitter patter…here comes my boy, blankie, and book in hand.  My heart thrills at the sight of his big round head.  “Make sister juice,” he chimes with a smile as big as any Cheshire cat.  I switch off the computer, eager to start the morning snuggle and reading time.  It is just another ordinary day.

 

The 11-mile commute to school is nothing unusual.  I drive past the harvested tomato fields, crop dusters skim the highway.  Lesson plans fill my mind.  Exit right, then left, then straight down the walnut tree-shrouded road towards Douglass Junior High, where my 7th grade English students stand lined up, waiting for me.

 

“Hey, did you hear about the plane crash?” they shout as I open the door.

 

“Yes, I did,” I answer, and switch on the lights.  “Let’s get started.”

 

“But, can’t we watch the TV?  I have an aunt that lives in New York, and I’m worried,” a child pleads.

 

“TV?  When do we ever watch TV in class?” I respond with a smile.   ‘Let’s get started – it’s grammar day everyone’s favorite!”

 

Moments later, an announcement is delivered by a TA telling us the grim news.  Not one plane crash, now it’s two.  What???  The Pentagon?  Three planes?  Buildings collapsed?  People dying?  But it’s just an ordinary day!

 

Why don’t I have my cell phone?  This ancient classroom has no Internet; the only technology is the old TV mounted in the corner of the classroom.  Where are my babies? Did Lily make it to kindergarten?  What the hell is going on? I want to go home…

 

Thoughts flash through my head as I try to process what to do.  Thirty sets of eyes stare at me, searching for comfort.  I’m the teacher.  I’m in charge.  I know what to do?  Frantic thoughts of my own children race through my mind.  Are they OK?  What will happen to us?  Are the terrorists on their way?

 

Then I realize-someone is taking care of my children, just as I’m taking care of someone else’s.  I know what to do.  They need me to make sense of it.  That’s what I would want my child’s teacher to do.  Reluctantly, yet desperately, I turn on the TV.  I have to know. I can’t wait all day.

 

After two hours, no word from my family, I switch it off.  Business as usual – that’s what educators do.  Keep them calm, keep them busy.  I know it’s only going to get worse, and it’s only 10 a.m.

 

Two more hours and I’m done.  As I jump in my little gold Escort wagon, I’ve never been so relieved to only work part-time; 11 miles fly by-not enough time to decide how to explain the unexplainable to my 5-year-old.  The radio news drones on and on.  Thousands dead.  The children.  The mommies and daddies who will never commute home again.  The parents who will never see their babies again.  The young people who will never have the joy of holding their child in their arms.  It’s more than I can bear.  The tears stream down my face as I safely reach home.  It’s clearly not just an ordinary day.

 

‘Mommy, why are you sad?  What happened at school today?” Lily whispers, her big blue eyes boring into mine.  How do I answer?  She’s only five.  Far too young to have to learn about such horrors. I tell her a story about a plane crashing and good guys trying to stop the bad guys. “Did the bad guy go to jail?” she questions.

 

“I’m sorry he died, Mommy.  But I’m glad that we weren’t on that plane.”

 

“Me too, baby.  Me, too.”  I realize it may never be an ordinary day again.

I hope you enjoy these enlightening, funny, supportive and inspirational bloggers as much as I do!

Grrl Guide

The Crazy Life of a Writing Mom

Southern Writers Magazine

Chef In Training

 3. I met my husband at a punk rock concert in the 80s.  Neither one of us then looked much like we do now.  He had way more hair, I had way less.  We were both backstage after the show, and ended up together.  That was 26 years ago. 

6.  I once was a groupie.  I have seen The Cure play all over the world…I can’t even count the number of times I have seen them.  I have an amazing vinyl collection of all their music that I just can’t bear to part with.  We still own a turntable!  I will still see them play whenever they come to California…maybe not in other countries anymore, but you never know!

Wow! I’m certainly honored to win The Versatile Blogger award today from Why We Love Green!  My first bloggy award!  Thank you!

Why We Love Green is a great blog about saving money while saving the earth. This blogger loves to try out and support natural and organic products and make lifestyle changes that will benefit future generations. She also loves to find a good deal. Going green does not have to be expensive! Be sure to check it out!

A few things you may not know about mamawolfe:

1.  I’m married and have two children, and live in the town I grew up in.  I like it here much more as an adult than I did as a child-boring then = safe place to raise children now!

2. I’ve been teaching junior high for 20 years and I LOVE IT!  They always surprise me, and I usually come home really feeling like I earned my paycheck every day!  I think that’s how I was dubbed ‘mamawolfe’!

3.  I teach at the junior high I attended.  It was a little spooky at first, but then I realized it was actually very cool to voluntarily come back to a place I was pretty eager to leave…

4.  My dog’s name is Cola-if you speak Spanish, you’ll know what that means.  It’s not about the soft drink!  My kids named him that because his tail is one of his most distinguishing features!

5.  I’m passionate about education, especially in developing countries.  I think everyone has the right to be educated.  I’ve worked with a non-profit to build and establish a Nicaraguan sister school with my junior high, and enjoy watching kids in both cultures learn from each other.

6.  I spend a lot of time in the kitchen-my kids and I love to bake and cook, and my husband loves eating!  I think cooking together really expands a child’s palate, and makes meals much more interesting!

7.  I think a little bit of chocolate and a lot of coffee every day is a very good thing.  Enough said.

I would like to congratulate the outstanding bloggers below, who I have selected for the next Versatile Blogger Award.  They’re some of my favorite reads!