Hats, Hats, Hats.

First, I don’t wear hats. Well, on “Hat Day” I do….or a birthday party, if asked. My fluffy hair tends to frown at a hat, but today….I wore several figurative hats.

I started the day at Frisch’s eating breakfast with my parents and some friends. Daughter & Friend Hats.

Then, I was off to my church because we were hosting a Health Fair for our community.
Church Member & Citizen Hats.

While there, I visited with the grandma of one of my students and sold a set of all 7 of my books to a friend. Then, I had the joy of holding a cute baby while his mama signed some papers and took care of some other duties.
Teacher, Author, & Friend Hats.

From there, I journeyed to the home of the parents of one of my high school classmates. They were purchasing my three latest books. While there, we visited about our families as we’ve known each other for over 30 years. Plus, one of their grandsons had been my third grader several years ago.
Author, Friend, & Teacher Hats

After leaving their house, I drove downtown to deliver another set of books to a friend who was purchasing them for her granddaughters. When my friend had time, she invited me to the back of the building to be introduced to two of her granddaughters as an author who teaches. (Generally, I’m the teacher who writes, so this introduction made me smile.)
Friend, Author, & Teacher Hats

Then, Hanover beckoned, and I traveled west to Hanover Park for “Celebrate Hanover” where one of my girls came running up to give me a hug. I then visited a few minutes with her mother after she introduced me to her baby brother.
Teacher Hat

Finally, I stopped by the store to grab some corn to make a corn cake for tomorrow’s Jubilee Dinner.
Church Member Hat image1 (2)

Now, as I try to force myself to go finish the sink of dishes then take a shower, I have a cat curled up on my lap. Before this, I signed thirteen books to deliver tomorrow while the other cat was checking out my ink pen.
Feline Human and Author Hats

Hats! I often talk about how I’m “Miss Jodi” at church but “Ms. Pflaumer” at school. Now, I’m also “Jodi Lea Pflaumer” the author. In the end, it’s all me…I am she. At different parts of my day or week there are aspects of her personality that overshadow the other, but it’s all me. I am who I am because of the One who created me, gave me talents and abilities to do various things, and molded me in my mother’s womb. I’m learning to accept the “she” I am. She may not be everything I thought she’d be, but I’ve learned to love her….cause He loved her first and He loves her (me) best.

So, who are you? But more importantly….whose are you?

Love or Fear? Which Will Win?

I’m currently battling feline-death-paranoia. at3 Honestly, it’s not a medical diagnosis or a mental diagnosis, but it’s my personal realization that having both Jasper and HillTopper pass so quickly has created a huge fear that it could happen again.

What does this mean? It means that I often disrupt RockyTop & BlackTop while they nap IF I can’t see their body moving with their breathing. First, I gaze at them, then…I’ll yell their name until I get a movement from their body. No wonder they’re always wanting to nap! It doesn’t stop there. If I go a while without seeing one of them, I will find myself making a lap around the house until I find the (normally napping) cat who is ignoring my pleas for “here kitty kitty kitty” to come.

cat4 Today, as I realized Rocky was napping on my legs and Blackie could not be located, I got up and went on a lap. Fear and dread filled me as I turned the corner in the kitchen where I had found Topper last month. My heart leapt to my throat as I found Blackie laying in the same exact spot perpendicular to how Topper was found. Only Blackie’s taile was twitching this way and that. He looked at me as if saying, “I’m just taking a rest. This looked like a great spot. It’s halfway between my food bowl and litter box.”

Later as I went out to finish washing dishes, I again saw Rocky but Blackie was out of sight. Again, I went in search….All through the house I looked & called his name. Finally I found him laying parallel to the shoe rack in the dark bedroom. His dark fur makes him harder to locate in unlit rooms. He was laying with his paws outstretched and eyes opened. My heart sank. I yelled his name, and his tail switched and his meow sounded.

By this point, my heart rate was elevated, and I grasped cat2 how much my paranoia had developed into full-fledged-fear. This saddened me. I mean, I don’t like fear having a hold on me. During tornado warnings, I’m rarely phased. I pray for safety and prep my mattress. Why in the world am I allowing this fear to takeover? Then, it occurred to me. I’m a feline-loving-female. I have no children or spouse. My kittens are the ones who anxiously await my arrival in the evening or react when they hear my alarm go off. They’re the reason I opted to make tuna salad instead of a bowl of cereal for supper because I knew they’d get great joy from “tuna water”.

In the end, I realize it’s my love of my kittens that fuel my fear. But….it’s my love of the One who created me that can overcome it and give me peace.

He can overcome your fears too. However big or small. He cares about them all. He knows the number of hairs on your head, so He most certainly knows each worry on your heart. Place them at His feet and let Him give you a peace that surpasses understanding. It’s the PURRfect place for your fears….and mine as well.

cat1

More Than Mean

Have you ever known someone who is known for only one aspect of their personality? For instance, when former students are asked, most will say “Miss P was the teacher with the funny voices.” Obviously, I do more in Room 302 than speak in different voices, but that’s what stands out because it makes me different from a lot of other teachers.

Now, Jasper…he’s obviously known for being a less-than-hospitable feline. He’s known for hissing, swatting, clawing, and occasionally spitting at unwanted guests, relatives, landlords, house repairmen, roofers, mail carriers, and…you get the picture. So, it was simple to use an arrogant and demanding feline voice for “Jasper’s ABC Book”.

However, he’s more than mean. He can be sweet, at least to me. Once upon a time, he was also sweet towards my nephew. In fact, on October 7th, a FB memory from ten years ago showed Connor with his arm around Jasper, his head leaning on him, and quoting him as saying that “Jasper is nicer than my cat.” I quickly sent the pic and quote to Connor to remind him of a time when Jasper liked people who visited our house.

I think over the past ten years since it’s 99% me & Jasper only in the house, not including an occassional field mouse, wasp, moth, or cricket that sneak in. When you get used to not having other living creatures around, it seems that you gain an attitude of “This is my kingdom and you’re not invited.”

Now, this cat who hisses and swats and has become known for his dominant ways…is only that way when others come.

Many evenings, he jumps up on my lap and either laps on my legs, my students’ work, or my lap.

At night, he’ll often curl up beside me and lay his head on my hand.

While I shower, he generally moves his nap to the purple rug in the bathroom.

While I cook, he’ll relax on the rug by the kitchen sink.

In the midst of fall cleaning, he’ll jump in empty drawers, lay on newly made beds, and follow me from room to room until the vacuum starts to roar.

On Wednesday, while having his annual check-up and vaccinations at North Madison Veterinary Clinic, another veterinarian was amazed at the stories of his behavior towards others.

You see….he’d known for being “mean” but he is also protective, sweet, and a seeker of company….on his terms…in his time.

Now, this makes me think of a discussion my Bible study group had last night. We so often just see God as a “Loving Father” because…He is. But…He’s also so much more! He’s also…Just….Righteous….Holy…Jealous…Sovereign. If we just look at one aspect of who He is….we will miss out on what a Mighty and Great God we serve!

So….I’m more than a teacher who makes funny voices…I’m also an author who writes in the voice of an arrogant cat…I’m a friend who tries to be there for the people I care about…I’m a church member who serves in various ministries…I’m a daughter who spends time with her parents…I’m an aunt who has a one-of-a-kind relationship with the “best nephew in the whole entire world”…I’m a follower of Christ who attempts to live out her faith in word and deed.

Oh…I forgot. I’m the roommate of a cat named Jasper who is known for being (more than) mean.

What are you more than?

What are you working on now?

One of the questions I’ve received frequently over the past couple of weeks is “What are you working on now?” To which I respond “Parent-Teacher Conferences”.

You see, I’m a teacher. Back on a mission trip to Gary, Indiana, in the summer of 1986, I realized I was called to work with children. God had given me some teaching skills and creative skills which allowed me to engage children in lessons and discussions. So, I became a teacher.

During the 22 years I’ve taught thus far and the four years I subbed before that and even the four years of undergraduate work prior to that…my dream of writing a “real book” grew.

While teaching my third graders to compose their thoughts into sentences, paragraphs, and papers, I modeled my own writing. Many times my students would tell me that it would be a good book. The dream grew.

So, in May of 2018, when my kids had the chance to write their own ABC book, I modeled the beginnings of “Jasper’s ABC Book”. They chuckled as I read the pages, and…the dream grew.

Then, goals were set. Focus began. The dream was put into an action plan. Granted, my first books has only sold 9 copies on Amazon, but it’s sold over 100 in Jefferson County. “Kitten Chronicles” hasn’t sold a single copy on Amazon, which I admit makes me a bit sad, but…I’ve sold over 30 personally. Not bad since the copies just arrived a week ago.

Guess what? Parent-teacher conferences are over, so….after some fall-cleaning, a dental visit, and Jasper’s vet appointment…I think it’s time to start “Pet to Predator: Memoir of My Life as a Feline Hunter”.

For now…I’m going to go home and collapse. Thankful that this LONG work week has finished. It was productive, positive, and packed….but now….I think Jasper and I are both ready for a restful Friday night.

A Whole New World

So, last spring….I set a goal. Actually, I set four goals. One each in the area of reading, writing, cooking, and exercising. Being a bit “methodical”, I was determined to check each off my list. The biggest challenge was the writing goal. Not because I didn’t have the ideas. I’ve had ideas for writing since high school. Not because I didn’t have time. I have the summer off since I’m an elementary teacher. It was the most daunting because it forced me to face the fear of failure.

If I didn’t cook a new recipe each week, no one would care but me. If I didn’t exercise regularly, no one would know but me. If I didn’t read ten books… Well, that wasn’t even an option with my voracity for reading. But…if I took my writing…put it into a book…and no one wanted to read it. Or, if they read it and condemned my efforts….I would endure the heartache.

But. A goal is a goal. And my self-imposed personality issues made it a must to accomplish. Thanks to the experience of David Kummer and Benny Newell, I was able to be guided to CreateSpace where my goal…my dream…could become reality. I kept telling myself that even if the only person who read it was me and my class that it was worth it.

So…in August, “Jasper’s ABC Book” was completed. Less than two months later, over 100 copies have been purchased! Then, last week, a mere two days before my first event sale at Jefferson County Old Court Days, “Kitten Chronicles: Memoir of My First Year Living with a Teacher” arrived.

Will everyone enjoy my books? Nope. Will everyone want to buy future books? Nah.

But.

Will I write? Yep.

Ideas remain. The joy continues. The dream has become a reality and the journey has just begun. What fun this adventure will be for me. I have the HEART of a teacher, the IMAGINATION of a writer, and the FAITH of a child. Come along with me…and enjoy the journey!