MAKES ME SMILE

From February 22, 2013
I am so lucky to have such an amazing family.  We have so much fun together ... now that my brother, sister, and I are grown up we don't see each as much, but we look forward to any time together.  When we're all together, the joking around and laughter keeps us going well into the nights.  We enjoy the outdoor adventures - at my parents' camp and in the mountains, too.  My family is scattered all over the place - well, 2 states really - Colorado and Texas. This picture captures my family perfectly ... and whenever I look at it it makes me smile (and sometimes giggle).

THIRST QUENCHER

From February 21, 2013
Some people get their thirst fix through Starbucks coffees, while others go for sweet tea ... ME ... well, I love Sonic drinks.  Large Coke Zero (easy ice) is my go-to beverage of choice.  I sometimes make a small change and order a Strawberry Limeades (yum).  There's something about Sonic drinks that makes them better than the rest ... maybe it's the ice, maybe it's the cup that doesn't sweat, maybe it's the crispness of the fountain ... I don't care what it is ... I LOVE SONIC DRINKS!!

MY MUSIC

From February 20, 2013
How best to describe my music ... well ... I'm really eclectic, which means I like a lot of different types of music.  If you looked on my iPod, the majority of my music is Classic Rock and Country ... but I also have a good selection of Pop, Rock, and HipHop tunes, too.  But most of all, I love Texas Country music ... and LIVE performances are the musical moments that top my list.  I am a frequent concert attendee in the summertime -Randy Rogers, Eli Young, Casey Donahew, Stoney LaRue, Reckless Kelley, Mo Robson, and Cross Canadian Ragweed are my most frequent ticket purchases.  I'm really looking forward to summer break and my next concert!!

IN MY CLOSET

From February 19, 2013
I don't know about your closets, but mine has monsters in it!!  When I was younger, my friend's dad would hide in her closet at bedtime and then once we were almost asleep, he would sneak out, crawl beside the foot of the beds, and grab our ankles.  It is one of my most terrifying childhood memories.  From that moment until today (and I'm an adult), I cannot sleep with the closet doors open at all ... I have to keep the monsters locked inside and away from me.  Sweet dreams!!

IN MY BAG

From February 15, 2013
Well, on Friday I was at a meeting all day and the bag that I took had all of my technology equipment safely inside.  Originally, I wanted to use my school computer, but left my power cord plugged into the wall in my classroom ... so I had to grab my MacBook.  I love this bag, it's my favorite school bag ... it was given to me by a student as a teacher appreciation gift.  Whenever I carry this bag, I think of the student who gave it to me and it makes me smile. 

MY LUNCH

From February 18, 2013
On days that I am not at school, but my children are ... I try to treat them to a special lunch.  On this day, Chick-fil-A is the flavor of choice by both kids.  I got the pleasure of eating lunch WITH Carlie at her school ... but Cameron was a different story.  Now that he's in 6th grade, eating lunch with Mom isn't something that is done anymore.  Not that he's ashamed of me, but his school only allows lunch drop offs.  It makes me happy that I can do such a simple task to make my kiddos' day ... they loved having something other than cafeteria food for a special change.  And, I loved being able to share my lunch hour with my favorite children :-)

SOMEONE I LOVE ...

I have had the same Valentine for the past 18 years ... he is my special someone and someone whom I truly love.  We started dating in 1995 (while in college) and dated two and a half years before getting married in 1997.  The last 18 years have flown by, I still remember the first flowers that he gave me.  Even though we don't look exactly the same, our love continues to build and be stronger after all these years.  I am very lucky to have my husband as my partner in life and love ... he is my other half, he is my happiness, and I would be lost without him.  Happy 18th Valentine's Day to my sweetie ... I love you!! <3

TRANSPORTATION

My mode of transport is my own car ... my car is the family's first choice of mobile movement when going anywhere.  Whether it's to the store or to a soccer game, my car is always the one that gets loaded up with children and stocked with blankets and chairs.  It only takes a few minutes to load, lock, and go go go.  Sometimes there's a small glitch in the load system and one of my 4-legged children decides they need to be the driver ... and then it's a slight fight over the keys.  I usually win and get to drive ... good thing, we would always end up at the dog park.  ha ha :-)

MY GUILTY PLEASURE

I have many guilty pleasures, but going to Braums for an ice cream treat sure does top the list.  Braums is the best because they serve Blue Bell ice cream ... and there's nothing better than Blue Bell.  It's a good thing that my husband also has a weakness for ice cream :-)  It doesn't matter if it's summer or winter, getting an ice cream treat is my true guilty pleasure.

11:11 ... Make A Wish

Catching the clock at 11:11 am/pm was a lucky moment in each day.  For as long as I can remember, I've been making a wish if I was fortunate enough to glance at the clock at the precise moment.  I don't know what makes 11:11 such a special time ... I mean why isn't 12:34 a special time??  It seems just as lucky to me.  Another idea ... why wouldn't you pick your birthday time as your special lucky number ... mine would be 4:26 ...that's a pretty cool time.  Well ... it's 11:11 ... make a wish :-)

My FRIDAY

I look forward to Fridays.  It's the day that all the work from the week comes to an end and I get to spend the next few days relaxing and enjoying time with my family.  Fridays are sometimes filled with soccer games, slumber parties, or hanging out with friends.  But today, this Friday, I spent the whole evening with the 2 most special people in my world.  We had a nice dinner, splurged with a yogurt treat, and finished off the night with a Redbox movie.  It was a perfect night and I enjoyed the quality time listening to how my kids' week at school and with friends went.  Precious moments that fill my heart with joy.  Happy Friday!!  :-)

Connections with Hollis Woods

Part 1:  Dear Mustard Woman,  I am not very fond of you because you are not nice to me.  I don't want to go to school because the teachers treat me differently and they don't understand how I feel.  I desperately want to be part of a family, and I try to express my wishes through my drawings, but the teachers want me to conform to what they want me to be.  I worry about Josie when I'm not around.  I want to be sure that she's safe during the day because her mind isn't as sharp as it once was.  I don't want to tell you this because I love Josie and if you knew she wasn't well, then you will take me away from her.  And to be honest, we really need each other.

Part 2:  I've known Hollis though several foster families and she has not shown any connections to families and only tries to run away.  I am seeing a different relationship forming between Hollis and Josie, however Josie is elderly and I'm concerned about her mental health and memory.  I think Hollis would benefit from a more stable family environment, like the Regans.  Hollis continues to show moments of rebellion through her being truant from school.  She's a smart girl, but she doesn't apply herself to her greatest potential.  I recommend further observation, continue home visits with Josie, and weekly attendance checks with the school.  - Mustard Woman

MY HANDWRITING

I always keep a notepad nearby ... just in case I have a light bulb moment or need to add something to my ever expanding To Do List.  Today is like any other day, many things/reminders on my list to take care of.  My scribbled handwriting on the various notepads is a constant reminder of how busy I can get during the day.  I'm told often that I have neat handwriting, but as the day goes on, the neatness takes a turn for sloppy and if I'm in a hurry or my ideas are flowing quickly, the more cryptic the handwriting becomes.  So if you ever see unreadable scribble, that just means that my brain is working overtime.  Ha ha :-)

MY LOCKER

Welcome to Room 1215 (aka MY LOCKER) ... it's a little different than my students' lockers ... my desk and area around my desk serve the same purpose as the lockers in the hallway for students. Around my desk are lots of trinkets and pictures that make me happy.  I spend the majority of my day at work and I like to be surrounded by things that make me smile ... photos of my friends and former students dominate the walls, while academic books and binders fill my bookcase.  Everything has its purpose and everything has its place ... organization is key to a stress-free and happy space :-)

Pretty COLORS

I love color in my life ... from beautiful sunsets on the beach or mountains to splashes of fun with my accessories ... I love color.  My favorite use of color during the day is through pens and markers.  Why write in drab, yucky black when there are so many other cool and fun colors from which to choose.  You will very rarely see me use a black pen ... I definitely don't grade in black, but red isn't my 1st choice of color either ... I prefer pink, purple, and green for grading.  The more colored pens and markers I have, the happier I am ... just look at how pretty these are ... don't you want to use one today??  Well, keep your hands off ... these are all mine .. ha ha :-)

My MONDAY

My Monday ... well, this particular Monday is my 1st day back to the real world and back to my classroom.  I welcome today with mixed feelings ... as much as I loved being away at a beach paradise with my husband and good friends, I have missed my students.  And, I think they might be a little happy to see me back too.  Now it's back to teaching as I push forward to the next holiday ... Spring Break ... it will be here before I know it.   But for now, I will conquer one Monday at a time :-)

Challenge Catch Up (Jan.24-Feb.1)

Since I was out of town ... I'm catching up on our photo challenge today for all the days that I missed.  Enjoy :-)

February 1, 2013 - SHADOWS
It's time for some much needed relaxation by the pool soaking up the sun.  With layers upon layers of sunscreen applied and sunglasses perched on my nose, it's poolside chair time.  I found the perfect spot under an umbrella where I can stay in the shadows and away from the sun.  Being a blond-hair, fair-skin person, I have to stay hidden in the shadows to keep from being scorched by the sun and ending up with fried skin and miserable.

January 31, 2013 - READING NOW
I was reading a romantic comedy while on vacation ... I like to pick up books that I've already read so that I don't get too caught up in the story.  However, I am about to start reading Collapse ... a book  written by a friend of mine ... it's his first novel and I'm thrilled to get started. 

January 30, 2013 - FAMILY 
I have a wonderful family ... we have lots of fun together.  My husband and I have been married for 15 years and we have 2 great children, Cameron & Carlie.  We are typically on a soccer field every weekend, and we're always supporting each other.  I am lucky to have such a great family and I love them with all of my heart.

 

January 29, 2013 - MORNING PICTURE
It is quite the special treat to have breakfast on the patio overlooking the water.  Even more of a treat that it is room service and I didn't have to cook or clean up :-)  I have been spoiled rotten by the service at this resort ... lots of food choices, helpful people ready with towels, shade, water, or whatever I could possibly need.

January 28, 2013 - BEST FRIEND
This weekend I was with my best friend as she got married ... it was the perfect day (January 26).  Ms. Mueller and I have been on many vacations together over our 11-year friendship, but this one will be, by far, the best one.  She's getting married and I couldn't be more excited.  I am so lucky to have been a part of their relationship from the very beginning to this moment.  This weekend my best friend will become Mrs. Bothner ... congratulations to my BFF and her new hubby!!

January 25, 2013 - FAVORITE PLACE
While on vacation, this was my favorite place to be.  Relaxing on the beach, listening to the waves, and taking in the beautiful view.  This heavenly spot is located at our resort, Azul Sensatori, on the Riviera Maya ... about 1000 miles south of CVMS :-)

January 24, 2013 - FASHION
I am not what people would consider a true fashionista ... I like comfortable clothes and tennis shoes during the school year and prefer even more comfortable clothes and flip flops in the summer.  I've branched out in the past year to also include more dresses in my wardrobe, which I love.  However, I've been known to really push the "stylish" fashion envelope on certain days to show off my school spirit ... and I do get plenty of strange looks and sometimes laughs on those days.