love for books...

That's right, I finally have a book club!!  I have been talking about having a book club for about three years.  It never seemed like the right time to start it or I wasn't sure who to invite or I just plainly didn't pull the trigger.  I think I wanted it to work out so badly that I was nervous to get the ball rolling.  

Luckily, a couple friends of mine pushed the ball down the hill to get it rolling for me!  They were sitting around talking one day and both expressed the desire for a book club. Hence, Novino Book Club was born!  (what we love most, novels and vino, put together...get it?  NOVINO!)

Our first meeting was just the three of us and we read Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher.  



We learned from our first meeting that we all had similar  likes and dislikes about books.  We also learned that Amanda and I are easy to please, whereas Hayley is a little more picky about her praise for a book.  Overall, it was a fabulous first meeting and we couldn't wait for the next!  I got to choose our second book and after going through a bunch of options, I chose a book that has been haunting me for over ten years. 

 I originally sat down to tackle Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver in college and quickly realized that it was a little too much for me in between studying, partying, and just my general college life.  I have picked it up several times since college and each time I failed to get further than the exposition of the story, around page 75.  This time, I was determined to master this novel and I did!!  Once I got further into the book, the characters became more alive for me and I fell in love with the story.  I also fell in love with the Congo, where the story takes place, and was intrigued with the location as a character joining the Price family on their journey.  


Unfortunately, not everyone in Novino was on the same page as me.  They showed up to our meeting and I was the only one who had finished the book!  We laughed about that fact, but still had a great conversation about the book, and were able to also have a great discussion about why we struggled with the text.  We were able to welcome another new member and she is a great addition!  We look forward to more lovely ladies joining us in the future.


We moved on to choosing our next selection, which was up for Amanda to decide.  She had some great options, but we ultimately settled on Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford.  





If anyone is looking for a good, easy, but also historical read, look no further!!  I am already half way through this book and we don't even meet for another month!  I would highly recommend this to my fellow readers out there.  It is a story about a boy growing up in Chinatown in Seattle in the 1940's as a Chinese American.  He makes friends with a girl his age that is Japanese, but their friendship is taboo because of the attack on Pearl Harbor and the general hatred for all Japanese people whether they were born in America or in Japan.  I won't give anymore away, but I love this book and can't wait to talk about it with my lovely Novino ladies next month!


So, long story short, the little thing I look forward to every evening is reading my latest quest of a novel.  I love sitting in our reading nook we created in our basement with Andy while we both keep warm in our Snuggies.  I adore that we can waste whole afternoons losing ourselves in our books and we both have a huge passion for literature (although we don't always read the same genres).  I really love sharing my passion for books with others, so this is the beginning of many posts about the reading that happens in the Groettum Reading Nook.  


Books rule!!
  

sharing my writing...

Since becoming a teacher, I have really opened myself up to the idea of sharing my writing (obviously, since I am now writing a blog) and being comfortable with other people reading what I have to say.  My students have been a great audience to feel out what their reactions will be to things that I write.  I mean, sometimes they clap after I read something that I have written...that definitely makes a girl feel good!


  One assignment that we did in a class I taught was to write a speech that was a personal narrative.  We also tried to tie it into giving a message like writing something that you believed in.  At the time, my dad's heart surgery was fresh in my mind as an experience that helped me to reaffirm my belief in hope.  

Recently, a teacher I worked with for the last two years decided to do that same assignment with her class and have me in as a guest speaker to share my words.  I am honored to do it, but it has also helped me relive a time that was extremely tough on my positivity and has allowed me to reflect on how I made it through the roller coaster of emotions I felt two summers ago.  

So, in sharing this piece of writing, I am reminded that constantly reflecting on your feelings and reminding yourself of those times that test how strong you really are is a little thing that can help you in future hard times and help you realize how strong you actually are.  

"Thump! Thump! Thump! My heart pounded as I waited anxiously for the phone call. I couldn't sit still or even think about anything else...

I have always been an optimist, a person who is always positive and hopes for the best. This was no different when I found out my dad was scheduled for heart surgery. Even though I was feeling scared and helpless, I still believed there would be a positive outcome and continued to hope for the best.

I believe in hope and going through the roller coaster of emotions when my dad had surgery made this belief grow stronger...

My parents got divorced when I was six years old. It was really hard on me because I thought it was all my fault. Even though I didn't live with my dad, we always had a strong and close relationship. I went to stay with him every other weekend and we always had a good time. He was always encouraging me to do my best and his famous line was, “You can be anything you want to be as long as you give 100% all the time.”

That line stuck with me as I grew older and helped me get through many hard times. When I was in high school and getting in trouble, it reminded me to get back on track. When I was in college and couldn't decide on a major, it helped me go in the right direction. My dad and I sometimes lived far from each other, but we talked frequently and he always continued to encourage me to follow my dreams.

...it was the last day of school and I was anxiously awaiting a phone call from my step mom, Kelley, to hear the news of the heart surgery. I had knots in my stomach and was having a hard time focusing on anything. I was sitting in my 4^th period class practically ignoring my students and co-teacher, Ms. Thompson when my phone started singing. AT LAST!! Kelley was calling with news on how everything went. I walked down the hall and could hear my heart beating through every word she spoke.

The news was good on that day, but what I was about to find out was that his status would quickly go downhill and the recovery would take what seemed like years to be complete.

After the initial day of the surgery, I spoke with Kelley every day...sometimes multiple times a day depending on what was going on. It was the beginning of my first summer vacation as a teacher and I should have been ecstatic and overjoyed, but my emotions were more like melancholy and lost. Every day that Kelley and I talked, it seemed like there was more bad news. Kidney failure, pneumonia, bladder infection, fluid in his lungs, fever, and on and on the list went. He was in the Intensive Care unit at the hospital for 28 days and I was beyond worried.

One of the reasons this was so hard on me is that I talk to my dad every day. When he was in ICU, I was unable to talk to him. Not being able to hear his voice for reassurance was killing me, so I decided I needed to go see him myself and at least I would be able to talk to him face to face. I flew out to California on a Thursday afternoon and went straight to the hospital. Kelley had to prepare me for what he would look like and tried to give me strength. I went in and I couldn't believe my eyes. He was hooked up to so many machines, could hardly talk, and had already lost tons of weight. He recognized me right away and game me a smile. I didn't cry the whole time I was in the hospital room, but when I left I broke down. I couldn't believe the man I saw as my rock, my pillar, the person I always relied on and that was always so strong in my eyes being so helpless and in a lot of pain. Kelley brought me to the hospital every day and we even tried to stay overnight one night. Overall, I felt a lot better after seeing him and being able to hear his voice. Even though he still had a long road to recovery ahead of him, I felt better after that weekend in California.

This experience challenged my belief in hope and sometimes it was difficult to keep my thoughts positive. Without this strong belief, I would not have made it through this rough patch. Without siblings in my life to lean on through things like this, it made it that much harder to stay positive. My husband, other family members, and friends were definitely my rock.

My belief in hope is the strongest it has ever been because of going through the different emotions of my dad's heart surgery. I encourage everyone to dig deep inside of yourself during a rough time and find the tiniest bit of hope and I guarantee it will help you through good times and bad!"

why i teach...

More times that not, teaching can be very challenging.  I know many great teachers who think to themselves on a daily basis, "What am I doing in this profession?" and "Is this job worth the stress?"  I am only in my third year of teaching and I definitely find myself thinking those thoughts from time to time.  I have also chose a field in education that often brings some extremely challenging kids not only because of their low skills, but also the behavior that they have learned over time to deal with their skill level by the time they get to middle school.  

Below is a note that I received from a student who I have taught for three years. 

Mrs. Groettum, 

You are a great teacher.  I love having you as a teacher.  I learned so much being your student and I love how you never give up on me.  You're not only a teacher, but a friend, someone I can talk to.  Thank you for helping me from 6th grade until now.  You're an awesome teacher.  I love you Mrs. Groettum.  

xoxo 

Love, Frances

Frances and many of my other students make it easy for me to answer the questions I have about this profession.  My students are the main reason that I stay where I am at in my career, but it is the little things that they bring to the table that bring me back every day with a smile on my face.  

more than hearts and candy...

I started writing a status update today on Facebook and realized I wanted to say a lot more than should ever go in that space, so I decided to dedicate a blog post to what I want to say on the 14th of February.  

I have always had a lot more to celebrate on this day than just Valentine's Day.  Think back to the weekend of February 14th in the year 1981 and it has some of the best stories that I never get tired of hearing about.  Three miracles happened within that time that will put my feelings about this day into perspective.  

  First of all, February 14th is my wonderful father's birthday.  In the year 1981, there was a plethora of things to celebrate.  My dad turned 30, there was a big party that was held in his honor, and he won a big game as a basketball coach for a local high school.  I was born two days after his milestone!  He turned 30 that year, which makes us 30 years and 2 days apart in age.  This makes it extremely easy for me to remember how old he is and we always hit milestones in the same year and within days of each other.  So, February 14th is always a day to celebrate my dad, who has shaped so much of who I am and who I love dearly!  

The other event that happened on February 14th in the same year was my grandparents got married.  They decided to do it in a small ceremony at my parents house since they were already visiting for my dad's birthday.  My mom's dad died when she was 16 years old, so my grandpa Tim has always been "the" grandpa in my life.  He adored me and I looked up to their love that was evident in the way they looked at each other when they thought no one was looking.  Unfortunately, my grandpa passed away from Parkinson's two years ago, but I still celebrate the love my grandma and him had for each other on this day.      

Lastly, it has always seemed silly to me to only dedicate one day a year to celebrate love.  I feel like love should be celebrated on a random Wednesday or a special weekend night or any moment that the spirit moves you.  I definitely am a HUGE fan of love, but I just think this day has too many other things for me to celebrate and it can carry a lot of unnecessary pressure for many people whether they are single or attached.  

However, being surrounded by 7th and 8th graders handing out valentines, with huge red balloons flying in the hallways, and stuffed animals being squeezed in excitement has grabbed my attention today.  

There is one more reason for celebration today and that is my amazing, loving husband.  He is my best friend, my confidant, my lover, my shoulder to cry on, my rock...my everything.  I am a better person with him by my side.  From the day we met as young, freshmen in college to now after 3 years of marriage, I love him more and more every day. 

The little thing today is that I actually have a lot to celebrate on this day of love.  Today, my Valentine's are...my dad, my grandma and grandpa's love, and my forever Valentine, Andy!

date night...

Andy and I started in a long distance relationship, which meant that we missed out on the traditional dating that most couples get to enjoy.  You know, the guy picks up the girl and they go to dinner, a movie, or on a stroll through a city park.  Since we cohabitated in the same city in 2005, we have vowed to have frequent dates in order to keep the romance alive and make up for the dates we never had while living 1,000 miles apart.  We have done just that and this weekend was another awesome time reconnecting with each other.    

Saturday night we planned a fabulous evening in downtown Denver.  We took the light rail from the Colorado station to the 16th Street Mall.  Our first stop was the new H & M store in the Pavilions.  It is two stories of amazingness!  Andy and I went our separate ways and both found some treasures!  Our next stop was across the street at Marlowe's.  We bellied up to the bar and got two martinis and some calamari to snack on.  Both were excellent!  We were still a little early for our dinner reservation, so we strolled down the mall.  We made a few stops into the random shops that line the street, but began to feel thirsty again, so we headed into the Rialto Cafe for more libations.  They had a fabulous list of seasonal cocktails that made it hard to choose our drink of choice.  I settled on a gimlet and Andy chose a gingerbread martini (it even had crushed graham crackers on the rim)!  

It was finally time for our dinner reservation, so we headed to  Cafe Berlin, our favorite authentic German restaurant.  They have moved locations and it is a great spot right on the 16th Street Mall.  The owner, Marlena, who is from Mainz, Germany, recognized us right away and got us our drinks.  We had Gurkensalat for an appetizer and started our meal with pea and ham soup.  Andy enjoyed Rouladen and I chose Hühnerbrust Berliner Art.  The best thing about German food has got to be the sides such as, fried potatoes, spaetzle, and dumplings!  At the end of our meal, Marlena brought us two apple schnapps shots for dessert, which was a great way to end our dining experience.  

The night wasn't over yet!  We made our way towards Union Station to try a new bar, which we read about in the February edition of 5280, Denver's Best Bars.  We met our friends, Erik (a.k.a. Wally) and his girlfriend, Ann at the Cruise Room inside the Oxford Hotel and it did not disappoint.  It had a huge selection of classic cocktails and cozy booths for friends to catch up.  

Date night will definitely be a tradition that Andy and I continue and I can't wait for our next special evening.  Reconnecting with my best friend and husband is the little thing that made my weekend!

not just a co-ed softball team...

Andy and I have become pretty fond of our softball team.  We started the team when we barely had enough friends in Denver to field a team, but had the desire to get out and be active in the summer (oh, and drink beer)!  We were terrible for more than a few years, but had really cool jerseys (and a cool name, Fur Traders).  Members have come and gone and come back again.  

Although our team has gone through many transformations, I think we finally have THE team.  Some of you may be wondering what I mean by THE team or that it's just co-ed softball, but it has become way more than that for me, so let me explain.  

-I look forward to every Wednesday night in the summer and fall when I get to see all of their shining faces.  

-For many of them, it is the only time that we get to hang out with them.     

-We are actually pretty good and have won two championships.

-What's even better is that winning isn't the best part.

-We are all able to laugh at each other.  

-We are there for each other through big and small events.  

-PIPER INN!!

There are so many more reasons, but I know that some of my team is vomiting right now as they read this, so I am going to stop.  Recently, Andy and I started going through a little withdrawal without our weekly meet ups, so we called for a reunion.  Fortunately, almost everyone from our team was able to make it. 

 We met up for some pregame action at Tailgate Roadhouse and were able to celebrate two engagements!  After some libations and snacks, we made our way to the Pepsi Center for some professional lacrosse action, the Colorado Mammoth.  The game was a blast, but more than that the company was top notch.  After nearly blowing out our eardrums from all of the commotion in the arena, we took the party downstairs to Blue Sky Grill, where we continued the party.  Here are some of the pictures from the evening.     

This group is a fabulous mix of people that I feel lucky enough to know.  The little thing that I realized this fun evening was that our softball team is not just a softball team to us anymore, but it is like a family.  Thank you Traders for being you and I can't wait until our next reunion before our season starts next summer!

dogs and horses and bulls, oh my...

I LOVE this time of year and it is not because it is winter or that it is the season of long weekends.  It is not even because my birthday is right around the corner.  It is none other than the National Western Stockshow!

This phenomenon comes to Denver every January for two weeks of events that are unlimited for the western enthusiast.  Andy and I look forward to it every single year!  This year, it was extra special because we had my mom and Howie in town for the festivities, which has been something on our bucket list.  

My stepdad, Howie, is the ultimate cowboy and has a wealth of knowledge about anything to do with cattle dogs, horses, rodeos, and much more!  They pulled the trigger this year and bought rodeo tickets for the last day of the Stockshow and the plans were in action.  

They arrived by car on Thursday evening and we enjoyed a nice dinner and conversation.  We were able to enjoy beautiful sunny and warm weather by our backyard firepit, eat fabulous meals, and just hang out.  

We headed to the NWS on Saturday for a peak at the cattle dog trials.  On our way to the trials, we mosied through the draught horses area and marvelled at the magnificent animals.  Some were 18 hands high!  (For those of you city folks, horses are measured by hands and 15 hands would be considered a tall riding horse)  As we made our way outside, we watched the cattle dog trials. 

These are the best of the best cattle dogs in the United States and they were amazing!  They herded three cows around a pen as their master gave them signals with a special high-pitched whistle, each command different than the next.  At one point, they had to get one of the three cows to separate from the rest and get them all into a trailer.  It was awesome how smart these little dogs were!

We were entertained by all of the animals, especially this very determined horse who was obsessed with getting out of his pen!  

We decided to head indoors for some tradeshow action.  There is only one word to describe the booths...IMPRESSIVE!  There was jewelry, furniture, clothes, boots, farm equipment, hats, and anything else you can think of that you would ever need to be outfitted as a cowboy/girl.  We roamed around and all found some treasures before we called it a day.

The next day we headed back for the grand finale...the rodeo!  We had excellent seats and settled in for the show.  

  

Reality was definitely better than the dream.  My mom was kind enough to let us sandwich Howie and he was nice enough to answer all of our annoying, little questions.  He was ever so patient and informative!  


The little thing that I will take away from this fabulous weekend is that if you dream enough, they will eventually come true.  Thanks mom and Howie for making this dream of ours be a reality!

good company, good times...

Andy and I definitely have an affinity to Minnesota sports teams.  We are fanatic about the Gophers, Andy is a die hard Twins fan, and we always cheer for the Vikings.  Since we have lived in Colorado, we are finding that we love some of the Colorado sports teams as well.  One of those teams being the Denver Broncos.

The team was actually pretty good this year!  Andy went to a couple of amazing games and we are even on the list to get season tickets.  After watching an extremely exciting first playoff game that went into overtime, we decided we needed to go all out for the second playoff game.  

We made perfect plans to join the lovely Laniels, who are avid Broncos fans and were so gracious to host a party inviting us and some other close friends.  

There was definite excitement right from the beginning with yummy appetizers, T-bone steaks, delicious ribs, scrumptious potatoes, and a creative dessert.  We showed up in our finest Broncos gear and even added a few elements to our outfits upon arrival.  

Unfortunately, no matter how perfect the evening was planned out, none of us could change the direction of the actual game.  It was clear from the first few plays that it was going to be a tough game and by half time, it wasn't even entertaining any more.  

Luckily, we were surrounded by fabulous company and still managed to salvage the evening and played with silly hats and rocked out to jamming tunes.  

The little thing from this experience is that as long as you always surround yourself with great company, the blow of your team losing or another sad event happening is so much easier to handle with good friends by your side.