As the school year comes to an end, I’m trying to come up with little tidbits to leave the students with as they move to the next level of their education. On this past Wednesday, I had to get on my soapbox about sharing and not monopolizing the activities the teacher had made available to them. By now, one would believe/think that third graders knew how to share with each other. Not so much sometimes.

Well, today I had to climb back onto my soapbox again. This time I told them if nothing else I have ever said stayed with them to “remember to be confident in yourself.”

These students are smart as a whip. They don’t need to constantly hear that their handwriting is beautiful, they read wonderfully, or any of that. But I was compelled to say it today because of one little girl who always wants the compliments I am giving to others students.  I didn’t want her to walk around for the rest of her life living off of what others thought of her. I have bared witness to smart boy losing his confidence because of another smart boy. He told him that he was a loser because he was a nerd. I wear my nerd hat with pride and a puffed out chest. I digress.

Shortly, after I got off my soapbox, I went back to working on a project that I was doing for them, when my friend who I spoke to about confidence came over and said, “Mrs. Coissiere, you have beautiful eyes.” I told her no I don’t and immediately, she got on my soapbox and threw my words back into my face.

“Mrs. Coissiere, you have to believe in yourself. Say you have beautiful eyes even if no one agrees.”

I looked at her and I told her, I know I have beautiful eyes; always have. My issue is not that I don’t believe in myself, it’s that I don’t know how to accept compliments when they are given to me. I told her that’s something I need to work on and she needs to work on believing in herself.

She nodded and smiled with me in agreement.

Today a 9 year-old knocked me off my soapbox and schooled me just a little. I had to finally admit it’s hard for me to accept kind words or gesture from others.

I will leave you with the words of Lady Gaga “Born This Way.” I really like this song. The video is kind of long, but a message we should all embrace.

Until next time,

Happy Reading!

I took this picture a year ago to the date. I have a great appreciation, maybe obsession with the sky. I don’t know if it’s the shapes I can find in the clouds or the pictures that the stars create, but whatever it is affects me.

I don’t mean it affects me in a negative way. It’s a soothing type, calming affect. Even when the sky is over casted and looks angry as I don’t know what, I find it relaxing and reassuring.

When the sky is grey, I take it as a reminder that it’s ok to be angry or upset for a little while. Then we have to get pass the bleak dark clouds and move on to the next sunny day.

Who can resist smiling when the sun is shining? I know it makes me feel good.

The openness and limitless of the sky is the biggest reminder of people should always reach for the stars and beyond. We all can reach the goal we set for ourselves if we reach past the clouds (road blocks).

Remember Ms. Molly from Romper Room said to “stand on tippy toes.” Are you standing on tippy toes?

Until next time,

Happy Reading!

One of my all time favorite movies is The Color Purple. Within that movie is one of my favorite songs, God’s Trying to Tell You Something.

I believe that God has been trying to tell me something for the past few weeks or so. While reading, other authors’ work of fiction, I have seen the title or part the title of my next novel among their words. I saw it as recent as yesterday. I don’t think I’m going to stop seeing or reading these words all over the place until I get the book written and out to the public.

All I can do is chuckle to myself and say “God’s got jokes.” He is so persistent in his efforts to get me to do exactly what he wants me to do. I GET IT!

I hear him loud and clear. My kids have a few more days of school (seven to be exact, not counting today), and then I can devote some of my time to finishing something I started a year or so ago. I’m not sure if the way the characters were taking me is the correct one, however, I know there is a great pull on me to finish this particular story. (I have some others that will never see completion or the light of day. Some things should not be written.)

My one piece of advice, not worth more than a penny is…if you keep receiving signs about the same thing over and over again, then maybe God’s trying to tell you something.

“If I was you I’d say yes/speak Lord, speak to me/…/I can’t sleep at night/I wonder why/Maybe God’s trying to tell you (me) something.”

Is God talking to you? What is saying? Most importantly, are you listening?

Until next time,
Happy Reading!

(Imagine is courtesy of The Louie Report)

I often wonder who came up with this saying. I also use it quite a bit. In this moment of time it’s the perfect statement for how I feel. All three of my children will be going up one grade next school year. I had some doubts for a moment or two, because this has been one of the most challenging school year ever for me and my children.

Seriously, from the start of ADHD medications, name callings, children bullying, failed writing assessment tests to stolen cell phones; I wasn’t certain I was going to make it. I knew if I didn’t make it they wouldn’t either. Thank goodness prayers got us through it all.

Another holy mackerel moment happened last week. The teacher of the classroom I volunteer in asked me how quickly I can come up with a story. I was confident I could do it really quickly. That was on Wednesday morning. On Thursday, I got up and immediately had a story sitting front and center in my mind. I churned that baby out before I was ready to leave for school. I sent it to the teacher and she loved it. Now all we have to do is format it in the way that we need it to be. It needs to be a small book. Since I can format an 8.5 x 11 page into four equal quadrants and print the entire story on 11 pages, I know it’s small.

One more holy mackerel moment (boy do I have many). I received my Associate of Science in Early Childhood Education degree the first weekend in May. Well, truthfully I got it from the dean on the 12th, because I didn’t go to the graduation ceremony. I didn’t want to attend, but I will for certain be at my graduation when I receive my Bachelor’s. I hope my family will be there with me.

Yes, I’m still procrastinating, but I’m getting better.

Until next time,

Happy Reading!

Dear God, I understand now that you’ve got some jokes, however, I’m not laughing. I know it’s your test of my wills and faith, but some of these situations are almost ghastly. Please go easy on me for the next few months maybe even years. Your humble servant, Jennifer.

It’s 90+ degrees, here in Georgia, and my family began asking for me to turn on the AC from yesterday. Today, I made that attempt, only to fail miserably. It felt as though the house was getting hotter and hotter instead of cooling off. This is not a good thing, because it’s hot like I don’t know what up in here. There isn’t a breeze in sight. Two, we have invited people over our house for Memorial Day. And all of us up in here is going to have this place blazing, probably hotter than the grill we’ll be using. This heat is causing me to be lethargic and the headaches are no joke. That’s part of the reason why I am not laughing.

My next not so funny moment today…still makes me kind of grit my teeth thinking about it. Someone from the past decides to pop up today. When I saw the number on the display of the phone my blood began to boil under my skin. I grumble “Of all the days to surface from the pits of some place unpleasant, you choose my sons’s birthday. Un-damn-believe-able!” I wish it was April Fool’s Day, but not some much.

I will myself to continue on every day, even when I feel like giving up because life seems so unfair to me. I stay out of the black hole, better known as depression as best I can. I’ve been doing really good with this lately.

I pray like the dickens for everyone who I think needs a little extra prayer or a whole lot of prayer because they said they were in need of it. At times I forget to pray for myself. I have faith and believe God will get me through everything as long as I listen and follow.

I’ve never been a joker even when some have told me I should’ve been a comedian. Well, I’m usually very serious and speaking my mind.

If you can read these words and understand the meaning and the plea…pray that I find the humor in the test and the struggles; that way I can make it through all these tough times. The murky water is thick, but I really want to make it.

Until next time,

Happy Reading!

Have you ever been to the place where you are beyond tired? When you are one step away from being so exhausted that someone (anyone) will call the paramedics to take you to the hospital.

I have a few of those moments both mentally and physically.

I am tired of:

1. people minding my business and pointing out the things that I own. How is that any of your concern?

2. people not understanding that I am uniquely me and how I operate is not going to be how you operate. When did my life become yours and mine?

3. people telling me that I need to allow others to carry me because I never completely depend on anyone.

4. wasting my time to explain my mental space.

5. being told that because I am married I have it easy. What size shoes do you wear? Here are mine, you should try it on.

6. being called a know it all. When did knowing the correct answer to more than a few things classify a person as a genius?

7. my kids thinking their father should have more rest than me. That’s how I feel every time they walk pass him to come to me for something.

8. not getting enough sleep and still having to function and make sense like a normal human being. Don’t they have pills for this type of issue? (Seriously, I wouldn’t take them.)

9. people saying horrible stuff about President Obama. Where the heck were you when the other President was in office making poor decisions?

10. being a procrastinator. (This will be everywhere, so I can do better. Only one person can change this and that my dear is me.)

I could probably go on with the things that are draining me of all my energy. However, I am not a complainer. I guess I need to complain some to these people, maybe I will scare them off so they will leave me alone. Something to think about.

What are you tired of? Get it off your chest so it doesn’t drain you all the way to your core.

Until next time

Happy Reading!

I have been wanting to do a vision board for a very long time. Today I finally took the time to do it. My life has been stuck in one position for awhile now, and it was time to make things start to happen. I am reaching for things that are attainable and best of all…I did not place a time frame on when these things will be accomplished by. And some things will be ongoing over and over again until my life…well you already know. There are the areas that once I reach them, I will replace with something else I want to reach. I also have quotes that will help me to stay grounded, positive, and focused. This is now my desktop background on all my computers.

For the record, in the past I have failed at the whole resolution thing because I only had 365 days to get it done. Unlike the customary “New Years’ Resolution” I get to take my time and put thought into how I will achieve each and every thing on my board. I don’t want to feel overwhelmed or rushed in what I am trying to achieve in my life.

Have you thought about doing a vision board? If you have, what are some of the things you would place on the board? Share, please. And if there is something on my board you don’t quite understand, ask and I will gladly explain what it means towards my vision.

Until next time,
Happy Reading!