The Latta Family

The end of Daylight Savings Time has caused me many a trial and tribulation.   About a year ago, I switched the way I was making my morning coffee.  I now use a percolator.   I LOVE a percolator.  My coffee is piping hot, and so flavorful.  The only trouble is . . . it doesn't have a timer on it.  Percolator's take approximately 10 minutes to perfectly brew the most delicious  coffee.  It's worth it, for sure, but about a month ago I got a simply brilliant idea to . . . get a timer  to plug my coffee pot into!!!!  So I bought this snazzy timer, from Amazon:  It is lovely.  I get my perfect cup of coffee- and it's ready for me when I wake up.  I don't have to wait for it.  It's waiting for me.  That's luxury right there.   Then Daylight Savings Time ended.  All that has been happy in my world ended.  It's been RUINED.   Last Sunday night, I reset the t...

This year has been the beginning of so many changes, as Andrew is transitioning from middle schooler to outright teenager.  He has run cross country for all three years of middle school.  It started with me, basically making him do it. He wasn't opposed to it, but if I hadn't signed him up, I don't know if he would have done it on his own.  I insisted on him running because I am a big fan of running for mental health.  Andrew has a pretty stable emotional state. He didn't need it for mental health, but I feel like middle school is a tricky time with all those hormones releasing and all that wacky stuff going through their heads, and running would help get through this period.  (Alexa will run as well.)  This year the group of 8th graders on the team has become close.  It's a mixed group of boys and girls.  I like this group.  The kids are similar in academic motivation, involved in sports, seem to have pretty level heads about them, and a...

It's finally fall here in good ol' North Carolina.  I mean- it's only mid October and we've gotten to the 70's.  Since the nights are cool and the days are not, I figured I should get my kids some weather appropriate clothes.  But then I remembered . . . oh yeah.  Shopping with my kids is straight up torture!  TORTURE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I took them to Old Navy.  So you know . . . a reasonable store.  Within my budget.  Andrew was a total pill.  Like- I think I'm going to grab a stool, stand on it, and punch you in the face- pill.  (All of you with littles- you'll get to a point where your sons are no longer precious, sweet angels.  They are big, hairy, and super irritating. You know that irrational irritation you feel with your husbands? You'll feel with your sons, because they're no longer sweet babies.  They're old enough to know how hang up their STUPID towels, or bring their glasses from their bedrooms, or put food back...

Today I was walking out of the cafeteria, after going to visit some students and teachers, and had just witnessed one of the sweetest, most endearing acts.  I was teetering between smiling like a loon and shedding a few tears because it was such a sweet, thoughtful thing.    I've said it before- but in case you're a new reader, or forgot or whatever- I'm a special education teacher.  I work in a high school.  Mostly I work with small groups of special education students that are following the curriculum to get a high school diploma, or I co-teach with content teachers in typical/regular high school English or math classes.  I LOVE what I do.  Love it.  Are there things I don't love- sure.  I HATE doing paperwork.  I hate doing paperwork on deadlines.  I get why I have to do paperwork- but it doesn't mean I like to do it.   Last year I had a group of freshman that were, for lack of a better word, precious.  They...

Alexa. Alexa. Alexa.  I tell you that girl is one independent thing.  At the beginning of the summer I was feeling quite frustrated with her because I hadn't figured out her "currency." I couldn't figure out how to get her to do what I wanted her to do!  I mean- I just give Andrew a look, throw a little guilt at him, and he's putty in my hands.  Alexa is a whole other ball of wax.  But I got her number now too.  I have to talk to her, explain my frustration or concern, ask how we can come to some sort of solution and then walk away.  And wait.  She almost always comes to me the following day or a few days later, and is willing to work out a solution- and usually has one.  I just have to be patient and appear  to let the whole thing be her idea.  For example I really needed her to stop sucking her fingers.  She's sucked them since she was a teeny baby.  When she was a baby I was so thankful for those fingers because sh...

I love to ride my bike.  I haven't ridden it in like 2 years.  Andrew and I used to ride our bikes around the neighborhood, at our old house.  Currently, we live in a small, two street, neighborhood. I do NOT want to leave my street and go ride on other nearby roads, as that feels like I'm just asking to get hit by a car.  Alas, I have not ridden much.  Plus, Andrew doesn't want to go ride bikes with his mom anymore.  He's too cool for that.  Alexa- up until 2 weeks ago- did not know how to ride a 2 wheeler.  GASP!!!!!  She hadn't really seemed all that interested in it, and if Alexa's not interested in something, it's not worth forcing it.  However- she decided she wanted a bike for her birthday.  I was kind of surprised, but if it was something she'd do outside, then sign her up!  The first lesson didn't go great.  It wasn't bad.  No trauma.  No falling.  But she didn't "get it" immediately, and wasn't su...

I realized that I don't drink anywhere near enough water.  Like- at all.  I feel accomplished if I drink 20 oz of water.  If I don't drink water, what do I drink?  Not much.  I allow myself 1 Diet Coke a day and one cup of coffee a day.  I don't drink tea, juice, or alcohol.  Occasionally, if I have been really working in the yard, like a crazy woman, I will drink a Gatorade- that's like 1 time a week. I'm just not a thirsty person.  Drinking any kind of liquid is not inherent to me. I have to remind myself, and make myself.  However, I have been struggling with gaining weight. I'm frustrated with this, because I don't feel like I eat all that much.  I don't snack.  I don't eat fast food.  I am not saying I eat great, but I don't eat enough to gain weight like I have been.  Plus- it's summer, so I exercise everyday and work in the yard.  What's going on?!  I decided I would drink 100 oz of water.  A few ...