The Opportunity to Peek on Daniel Pink? I'm In.

Two things.

One:  I am completely enjoying this book, To Sell is Human, by Daniel Pink.  It starts out a little slower than other Pink books, but picks up steam & becomes super practical both as an educator and parent (and wife!).

Two:  You know how I aspire to write a book, yes?  If you do, too, check out this interview with Pink to learn about how he tackles the writing process.

Call me nosey, but I like knowing how other people I admire spend their day.

Cheers,
Jen

Lessons from a Whiteout

Last ski trip to Colorado, I managed to find my way up to the highest runs in a complete whiteout.  The kind of whiteout where you can't see, but a few feet in front of you and like the photo above shows, the ski and ground look exactly the same.

At one point, I literally used my "I'm standing" observation  to know which direction was up and which direction was down; I figured gravity was pulling my feet in a downward direction if I was standing there on my skis.  That's how crazy the whiteout was.  

But, like all things in life, opportunity was around me.  What lessons could I take from this?

1.  Life is better in concert with others.  In hindsight, I wish I would have skied with a partner that afternoon as I was scared and felt unsafe.

2.  Some decisions are best made without over-thinking, but instead going with the flow, your gut, your intuition.  In the past, I was notoriously guilty of over-thinking most everything.  In this case, the sooner I skied out of the whiteout and the bitter cold, the better.  My decision making that afternoon was total gut.

3.  Risk is necessary to growth.  I'm finding lately I have more confidence in my decisions - even the not-so-great ones.  The key:  Not to beat myself up as much when my decisions aren't my "best" ones (like this example of skiing alone in a whiteout).  Taking a risk equals a reward no matter the outcome.

Feeling reflective,

Jen

Snack Taxi - A Cycling Team Sponsor

Have you heard of Snack Taxis?  They are reusable, fabric bags that are toxin-free - ideal for snacks and sandwiches.  They are hand-made in New Hampshire.  AND, they are a cycling team sponsor.  Isn't that cool?  Look how fun they are.....

The Snack Taxis come in two sizes - snack size and sandwich size.  Lil O and our family have enjoyed Snack Taxis for years.  They are great for food or for containing random items (like cords, gift cards, travel items, etc.).  I think we bought our taxis through Lil O's school fundraiser years ago.  They hold up so well.

Erin, the owner of Snack Taxi, sent the cycling team riders these taxis to carry in their jerseys while they ride.  Are you kidding me with that awesome cycling fabric?  The puzzle piece fabric reminds me of autism awareness which is close to my heart.

If you need a clever gift, a fun back-to-school or lunch item or want to do a Snack Taxi fundraiser at your school, hop on over to Snack Taxi and indulge.  We love their cloth napkins, too!

All the best,

Jen

PS - Huge thank you to Snack Taxi and Erin for sponsoring Upcycled Education's Cycling Team!  Yay!

Live Binder {for Tech Tuesday}

I like the idea of keeping a digital binder about a subject.  I imagine a binder for all the creativity research I've collected.  Another binder for Tech Tuesday ideas.  It would be fun to have my students and I create a class binder together.  We could create a binder on special education topics or another binder on human development.  Hmmm...I might be onto something.

Live Binder, a free (and fee-based) web tool seems to be an easy resource to create online, digital binders about a given topic.

What do you think?  Give Live Binder a try?  If yes, what topic will be the focus of your binder?  Back-to-school information for parents?  A digital portfolio of your work?  Your favorite Upcycled Education blog posts.  Ha!  I'm full of myself, evidently.

Jen

Life Updated: May edition

I don't remember Mays being this great.  I am loving this month.

From top to bottom, left to right:

• Mr. UpCyclist and Lil O (and three friends) did a mud-foam 5K together.  Have you seen the foam machines?  They are crazy cool. 
• I will never tire of looking at this DIY fabric garland next to spring flowers.  You can find the tutorial here.  
• On Mother's Day, Lil O let her butterflies free.  She enjoyed doting on the five of them this past week.  I love her sweet soul.
• My college students threw a party and bought me a gift card to Barnes and Nobles for Teacher Appreciation Week.  Really?  Could they be more thoughtful?
• I have a new favorite office - Susan from Crafterhours's house.  Woot.  We actually get so much done.  
• What do you think of this swim-bike-run card for Mr. UpCyclist?  I think the washi tape makes it, don't you?
• CM and I went indoor rock climbing together.  No matter what she says, she is a natural.
• I love color and Lil O's new art style.  She's made three of her "art wheels" for me.  #buddingartist #lovethatkid
• Speaking of swim-bike-run (two bullets ago), how about Mr. UpCyclist and Jesse the Statue?  They rocked a half IronMan this weekend.  

May, you are lovely.

Jen

Love. This. Quote. {Mother's Day edition}

Happy Mother's Day to all you super mommies and moms-to-be.  I am completely grateful for my mom, my mom-sister and friends, and the opportunity to be a mom to a Lil O - who I love to the end of the universe and back.

xoxo,

Jen

PS - If you haven't caught up with this super mom-blogger-home-schooler-photographer, treat yourself.  Ashley Ann's blog is delightful and her five kids are way neat. I especially like the story of Little One.

Summer Plans

Mr. UpCyclist has earned his name by being an avid cyclist - both recreational and competitive. Both on road bikes and on mountain ones.  Mr. U is all geared up for the summer and he is elated he will be competing in events from now until September.

Me?  What's on my summer to-do list?

Let's see.....

• Spending time with Lil O and master Jedi
• Cheering on Mr. U at all his races
• Seeing a lovely handful of friends and family
• Hiking, biking, bouldering (which is like rock climbing, but lower to the ground)
• Keeping Jedi from this
• Playing in some rivers
• Dodging the heat when possible
• Rereading Daniel Pink's To Sell is Human book
• Working on some new teaching and stamp shop ideas
• Contemplating my next moves (especially now that I am a doer and not only a dreamer)
• Continuing life coaching with Sue
• Figuring out some artwork for our condo in Colorado (any artists out there?)
• Keeping tabs on the cycling team
• Stopping to smell the roses

What about you, sweet blog reader?  What's on your summer to-do list?

xoxo,

Jen