Life on the Runn...

It was a big summer for the Runnells crew (though absent of any big, overseas plane rides), but fall is a family favorite, and this year it's especially great because we're finally home! Takin' it all in just before closing day Closing week was crazy - we signed all the papers and officially became homeowners on Wednesday afternoon and immediately unloaded our first round of items -  as much as our cars were able to hold.  I headed out of town Thursday after work, but while I was "teaching the youths," as BR likes to say, he was busy transferring the contents of our storage unit to Rustic Court - the garage was already filling up. Then, while I was at an awesome Acadec Conference, Brian met the movers and spent Friday getting things into the house and organizing biking gear and the garage.  After a quick trip downtown for a party with some really great friends in town from Seattle, we spent our first night in our new place and were up early Saturday for wo

I’ve been a runner for a good portion of my existence, starting around age 12 when I joined my middle school track team. Fun fact: my first memory of BR is a conversation we had at a track practice. A totally is fact: we, the household always dealing with some kind of tweak or injury, we’re discussing a muscle pull.  Last week, during class intros, I asked if anyone enjoyed running like I did. Very few hands rose through the day. Weirdos, right?! One super funny sophomore made me lol with the response,  “Depends on from what.”   Over the years, time and other interests got in the way of running, but once I found my way back to it, I’ve been hooked, even when I added a tag-along and a jogging stroller (amen for the BOB).  Labor Day weekend, I got to do some running with both my sister-in-law and mom-in-law. We did the I Love WI Fun Run.  Becky and I have done some running together. She’s a running legend - just check our HS record books. This was my first run with M

Today marked the thirteenth time I started a new school year as Mrs. Runnells, the eagerly optimistic literature teacher.  And today marks the eighth time I have done so as a Waukesha West Wolverine.  I cannot believe I have spent twice as long at West as I have at any of the schools I've have called home. Today, it really feels like home. I get to work with a diverse group of teachers and kiddos; I get to see some of my favorite young people during passing time, lunch, and prep, and, if I'm lucky, I get to lunch with my lunch crew at least a few times a week.  This year is all about taking risks, about being vulnerable, and standing in my purpose.  I told each class today a little bit about my high school (and college) English experiences, why I hope theirs are different, and how I am committed to making them their best reading, writing, and thinking selves.  I also - remember what I said about vulnerability - told a few of them about the parent fail the other day that res