Here's Your Sign

As I was messing around with my iGoogle homepage and changing up the theme and rearranging elements on the page, I found the always tempting horoscope button.
Now I am not one who puts a lot stock into daily horoscope readings or predictions, but I have always found the definitions of the characteristics of each astrological sign fascinating.  And a little scarily accurate. 
Not every person will fit every characteristic of their astrological sign, but often times the personalities described are astonishingly accurate. 
Take my sign for instance.  I have a July birthday (the 19th - send presents to my home address) so that makes me a Cancer.  Here are the defining characteristics of a Cancer:

Cancer Strength Keywords:

- Loyalty
- Dependable
- Caring
- Adaptable
- Responsive

Well, that sounds right to me.  I am fiercely loyal, mostly dependable, pretty caring, fairly adaptable, and somewhat responsive.  

Cancer Weakness Keywords:

- Moody
- Clingy
- Self-pitying
- Oversensitive
- Self-absorbed

Sounds about right.   I am definitely moody, clingy, and oversensitive.  And have been know to self-pitying and self-absorbed.  BTW, I got this info from http://zodiac-signs-astrology.com/zodiac-signs/cancer.htm

I like how this site summed up the Cancer personality.

Cancer is a mysterious sign, filled with contradictions. They want security and comfort yet seek new adventure. They are very helpful to others yet sometimes can be cranky and indifferent. Cancer has a driving, forceful personality that can be easily hidden beneath a calm, and cool exterior. The crab is Cancer's ruling animal and it suits them well, they can come out of their shell and fight but they can also hide in their shell of skitter away back into the depths of the ocean. They are very unpredictable. With cancer, there is always something more that meets the eye, for they are always partially hidden behind the shell. They are a have a deep psyche and intuitive mind that is hidden from the world. Cancer is deeply sensitive and easily hurt, this might be why they have their defense shell in place, to avoids being hurt by others. They are nurturers so they surround themselves with people, whom after a while can offend or hurt a cancer without even knowing they did so, therefore Cancer's protective shell keeps them safe from hurt. They are complex, fragile, unpredictable and temperamental and need constant support and encouragement, more then any other astrology signs, Cancer needs to be needed. When cancer gets the support it needs, it has a tremendous amount to offer in return. When cancer gets offended, they tend to sulk instead of confronting the persons face to face. This needlessly prolongs the pain and suffering. Cancer is very possessive, not just with material possessions but with people as well. Cancer will always want to stay in touch with old friends and anyone who has ever been close to them, because it is easier to maintain a friendship then attempt to learn to trust a new person. It is easier this way for them emotionally. If you befriend a Cancer, you will stay friends for a long time. Cancer makes the perfect mother, this is the sign that represents motherhood. They have unconditional love and caring more so then any other astrology sign. Cancer are very intuitive. Most of the psychics of the world are Cancer astrology signs. They have an excellent memory and are very observant and can read people very well. They can usually tell of other people's intentions are good or not. Never dupe a Cancer, they can see your motives. Cancer has a lot of emotional issues to deal with but once they overcome this large hump of shyness and insecurity, there is practically nothing they can't do. With their strong intuition, sensitivity, powers of observation and intelligence, they will have great success in anything they undertake. 

Okay then,  The part about cancer's retreating into their shells, especially as an emotional defense is so very true!

Look up your sign and tell me if it is accurate at all.

Today I will be grateful for my astrological sign, yes, I realize that sounds silly but I am glad for any insight into myself that I can get.

Feeling crafty

So I have been feeling really, really crafty lately.  I am hoping to actually take some pics of what I have been doing soon.  I have been making a lot of jewelry (surprised?  yeah, didn't think so!)  I learned how to wrap wire into simple Celtic Knots yesterday and added a knot to a pendant that I love and didn't quite know what to do with.  Here is the after pic. 

I love this yellow pendant.  It is a delicious clear icy yellow.  And it is pretty big.  It is about the length of a standard house key.

I have been enjoying the creative process and find it very relaxing and fulfilling. 

so the obvious thing to be grateful for today is creativity........and google - where else can you find a plethora of ideas and instructions to aid the creative process?

In Good Company

Mixed emotions for me today.  I went to a dinner party for Citrine.  It was a farewell dinner.  Anne-Marie and Family are moving away......far away.    To New York.  I am so excited for her because this will be a good thing for her family but I am also sad that Citrine is over.  I have truly loved every single minute of it.  We did get to sing some tonight. 

So today I will be grateful for an amazing year filled with amazing music!

More student teaching fun........

One of the sad parts of student teaching for me was the end!  I knew it was coming.  The kids knew it was coming.  It was not fun for me to leave because I REALLY loved being there. 
One cutie pie who happens to have the same birthday as me wrote me a poem on my last day.
I am going to copy it just how she wrote it but I will add "translations" as needed.  I love it!

Mrs. Kissell your hair is such and orange  life without you in the

classroom is such a borage.  Life without you is satenly (certainly)

gray I hope all (I'll) see you another day.  I wish you could

stay and play with our class all

day.

I miss you alot but all (I'll) always keep you in my thoughts

Is that cute or what?  I have more to share later.  One cutie wrote me an awesome good bye letter and had the entire class sign it without me or their teaching noticing.  Pretty sneaky!

So today I am grateful for the simple things like thank you notes.  I am touched deeply by sweet and simple things like a thrid grader's effort to let me know how she felt.