NEW YARD

Before!

After!

Before!

After!

So excited for summer!

AROUND THE BLOGOSPHERE #9

These are the places of interest I've found in my recent BLOG HOPPING (and beyond) journeys!

At MY KIDS MAKE, I found this great idea to keep kids engaged and happy while shopping.

I also found HAPPY BLANKIE. For every one blanket they sell, one is donated to a child in need of a smile! The company idea came from seven year old David, in 2008. He's called the Chief Happiness Officer.

I love this etsy shop called URBAN WALLS. I love wall decals like this.....

and this.....

Then I found this a great idea for a chore chart at MY LIFE IS A REALITY SHOW. The "NO COMPLAINING OR WHINING" part really grabbed me and I love the FAMILY FUN BOX idea.

At THE PRETTY PEACOCK, I found this Sweetheart Locket. I love the idea of having room for multiple birthstones. I may have found my Mom's Christmas present. I know you're reading this, Dad....sssshhhh...don't tell.

What about THE OVEN CLAW! What a great idea!!!

Then I found these great CIRCLE SCARVES and LOOP SCARVES. So cute!

Where have you been BLOG HOPPING lately. Found anything interesting? Let me know.

TANGLE CHALLENGE ....is it #2 or #15?

Laura Harms Zentangle challenge #15 is called LOVE YOUR CURVES, BABY.

This is my second try at a challenge. I gravitate to circles the most!

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

Lately I have felt like MR. TEACHBAD, but because of Natalie Munroe I have felt like I now have to censor myself MORE.

It seems like teachers are no longer allowed to:

* have opinions
* have feelings
* speak their mind
* tell parents the truth
* vent
* complain
* have a bad day
* talk openly with co-workers
* question
* frown
* discipline
* have a personal life
* not "like" EVERY child
* think outside the box
* make decisions on their own
* use their own judgement
* be upset when others aren't held to the same rules
* expect to be treated fairly
* expect children to learn on their own
* have concerns
* speak sarcastically
* ignore someone they do not get along with
* not smile
* raise their eyebrows
* be annoyed
* not agree with all the policies
* show frustration
* quote from memos

....just my opinion...oops, I forgot I'm not allowed to have one....

DISCLAIMER: any similarities to real schools is purely coincidental. 

PRAYERS FOR JAPAN

I got this email from my brother, Kurt, who has a coworker, who's cousin is on the USS Ronald Reagan near Japan and this is what floated by the ship!

TIME CARD MARCH 20-26

I am keeping track of how many hours I work during this school year. My contract only pays me to work 183 days a year, from 7:30-2:30 (that is 1189.5 hours in total). We are not told we have to work extra hours, but there is no way I could plan, correct papers, make copies, make phone calls, etc., just working to contract. Usually I arrive at school by 6:15 a.m. and leave around 3:15 p.m. Then when Samuel is in bed for the night, I do at least another couple hours of work. I also take stuff home on the weekends.

This week I worked 49 hours.

Total to date: 1417 hours. I have now worked 227.5 hours for free!

SUNDAY INSPIRATION

DANCE DANCE DANCE!

I didn't realize that if I turned the camera sideways it wouldn't turn the picture also....sorry....but the video is still cute.....just turn your head!



Sam loves to dance and Aunt Mary Kay is a good dancer, but she forgot how exhausting little ones can be....



....let's do it again!

SIX WORD SATURDAY #12

On Saturdays Cate, at SHOW MY FACE, asks us to describe our life in a six word phrase.



Here are my six words:

I NEED A LONG, RELAXING MASSAGE!

THANK GOD IT'S FRIDAY

Sam is recovering from an ear infection. He takes his bubblegum flavored medicine like a champ and is in a much better mood now. It's so fun to come home to his smiling face.

My sister, Karen, had her hip replaced on Monday and is recovering well. She got some really good drugs. She went home on Thursday....now can't drive a car and is on crutches for 6 weeks. My sister, Marykay, has had both of her hips replaced (over 5 years ago). The women in our family seem to have this genetic issue with our hips, but my sister, Genie and I seem to be fine for the time being.

On Wednesday one of the 5th graders had a seizure and collapsed. The other kids were very good and the teacher handled it great. Ambulance and mom were called. We aren't sure what caused it yet and he does not have a history of these, either.

My first crush from high school, David, died earlier this week. I come from a very small town in New Hampshire and I graduated with a class of 24 kids, so everyone knows everyone. Of those, 2 have now died. It is so sad.......dying so young. Rest in peace, my friend.

My Dad is home after having his lymph nodes removed. He had melanoma on his back removed about 2 months ago and they found problems with the lymph nodes too, but everything else looks good. Here's praying for a quick recovery.

Then yesterday, two mom's decided to duke it out in the school parking lot.....nice! Classy!!

Standardized testing starts next week.....prayers for good scores and no drama.

HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD!

UP, UP AND AWAY!

Sam will be taking his first plane trip in April. It will only be a 2 hour flight, but I'm worried about his ears not popping, him screaming the entire time and/or getting air sick. I am looking for advice, people. I've heard that I should give him a little Sudafed right before we take off, give him a sippy cup of water, so that he'll swallow and bring some "new" toys so that he'll be interested and occupied.

THE CHALK GUY AGAIN!

TIME CARD MARCH 13-19

I am keeping track of how many hours I work during this school year. My contract only pays me to work 183 days a year, from 7:30-2:30 (that is 1189.5 hours in total). We are not told we have to work extra hours, but there is no way I could plan, correct papers, make copies, make phone calls, etc., just working to contract. Usually I arrive at school by 6:15 a.m. and leave around 3:15 p.m. Then when Samuel is in bed for the night, I do at least another couple hours of work. I also take stuff home on the weekends.

This week I worked 12.5 hours.

Total to date: 1368 hours. I have now worked 178.5 hours for free!

HALLELUJAH

THE CHALK GUY IS BACK!

SURPRIZED? NOT REALLY, BUT PRAYING!

Last Sunday we called "K" so she could talk with Sam, but we had to leave a message. About a half hour later she called us back and Sam said, "Hi K. I luv oo." It was very cute.

Richard was on the phone talking to her and all of a sudden his eyes got BIG and he said, "Really?" and he handed the phone to me......

"K" said, "I'm pregnant. I'm keeping this one. It's by the same man." 

To be totally honest we kind of expected the, "I'm pregnant again," phone call, but the "I'm keeping it," part we certainly didn't expect since, except for graduating high school, her situation hasn't changed at all....and the..."It's by the same man," part we definitely didn't expect, since she told us she didn't know who the father was.

I've been sorting out my feelings for awhile now....and...I'm angry....I feel like I've been lied to. You told us you didn't know who this man was. She's not in any better a position to raise a child then she was 2 years ago. Richard and I said we would continue our visits and a relationship as long as we felt her life was stable and she was making good decisions, but now I don't know if that is the case.

I decided to call "K's" mother (We'll call her Grandma K.) I wanted to get her perspective on all this and to find out if she knew any details about this guy. We have always had a close connection because of our closeness in age and because Grandma K has never been able to have children either ("K" was adopted too.).

I found out that after our visit at Christmas, which I thought went great, but apparently didn't, "K" was hurt that Sam paid more attention to Grandma K then to her. Grandma K gave Sam a book with wheels and was engaged with him, while "K" didn't talk nor interact with him. At the time, I just took this as her being shy.

Anyway, Grandma K said that soon after this visit, "K" went off birth control and hooked up with Sam's birth dad again out of anger and spite. As Grandma K put it..."Fine, I'll just have a baby of my own and then you'll have to pay attention to me." Grandma K is very upset and hopes that "K" will change her mind about keeping the baby. They find out the sex of the baby in April and she is due in September. Her parents do not feel she has matured any, nor is in any position to take care of a child. She still lives at home and is not working. The guy doesn't want anything to do with "K," the new baby or Samuel, but has said that "if it is proven" that he is the dad then he'll pay child support, but that is all.

I feel very sorry for the entire family. "K" obviously has something missing in her life that she is trying to fill with men....and now she thinks that this baby will get her the attention she so desperately wants. I pray that she will go back to counseling and God will calm her soul and help her make the right decisions for this new little one.

BE PREPARED FOR MAJOR GROSSNESS!

Last week I burned my finger on a Pop-tart! OUCH! I haven't been able to do x-stitch or draw all week. That large area was the main blister and the smaller divot was the blister under that. At least there is no more pain, but it's still very sensitive.