A quick post of my pages for my friend Ursula

Hey, I know I owe a major update and redecorating of my blog but I've been busy with loads of things. I literally have 2 more master's classes. Two Tuesdays and I'm done!!! I've been running Brian back and forth across town to summer school. 1st semester final is next Friday; please say some prayers! Last weekend I went to a weekend scrapbook crop. I actually did 25 pages with paper, scissors, and glue! We also had college freshmen orientation. Hard, hard day there! More about that later.

While at the crop, I put at the top of my list to get my friend Ursula's baby pages done for her. Each of us in my Tipster's group signed up for a 2 page layout. It was to be pink and girly. A bit challenging...I don't do pink and girly.

Anyway here is the pages, I know she's dying to see them. They went postal yesterday. They are for the 7th and 8th month...isn't Harper about that age now??? Sorry so late Urs!

Crossing off things on your to do list feels so good!

Today I made myself get a few things on my to do list done. They weren't the hardest or the most fun, but when I teach all year long, some things just get put off. Also when you have a husband who has been working buku hours and had a seizure that affected a bit of memory, things get just get lost in the shuffle.

Each summer I make a to do list. I start with things I want/need to get done and then as I do other things that weren't on the list I add them and immediately cross them off. I save the list on my computer because then I always have access to it. I also put things back on my list that I didn't get done from the previous summer. Sometimes those are just the frivoulous things that sound fun or aren't the most necessary. For three lists now I've had "make daring dice of transformation" on there. See I found these kewl dice by Keri Smith and could just print off this page onto some cardstock but for some reason I have it in my head that I need to make them out of wood and paint them myself. I don't know why, I guess I could print these out and modge podge them onto my wood blocks but somehow I feel that is settling for less.

I also am quite the procrastinator. I owe my darling friend Ursula two baby pages and because I've not been scrapbooking with paper, glue and scissors I just haven't gotten my stuff out. Well next weekend I go on a scrapbook retreat and I've added it to my list that I'll get them done. You know, all sorts of things and projects that procrastinators never get done. I swear if I finished all the projects I want to get done or that I've started I'll be amazed. I'll also have crossed off a bunch on that to do list. Right now there are 39 things on that list and about 6 are crossed off. That's good considering I've been on vacation for 4 days and these have been put off for weeks and months, some even years.

Well 2 entries in one day is amazing, but I must go and cook dinner. See that is another thing on my list...make dinner more often. Toodles!

I've been avoiding my blog

But I've been reading those of others. I've even been trying to leave a few comments.

I've been avoiding this because I've wanted to update with graduation pictures and they're still sitting on the disk in the digital camera. I've not wanted to dl them because I want to have time to edit them first. Today I've got plans, the bank, the post office, the accountant, and I should get some homework done today.

Tonight Doug is hosting a bonfire. The goal is to burn their Advanced U.S. History books. It was even mentioned by the speaker at graduation that this is a time of change and you have to keep some thing and make changes about others and they said get rid of Degler. So that is what the kids are going to do tonight, come and burn their Degler books.

I promise I'll upload some graduation pictures before the weekend is over.

goofing around

I've got the knack for digital scrapbooking but I've felt very lacking in my photo editing. I've surveyed a couple of my good friends for what they do when they photo edit. Ursula Page who does some great photography has given me some editing tips. But I guess without sitting down and actually trying them consistantly, I've just not gotten that good at it.

As I begin to plan out my summer, I want to really get my photos edited and organized. The only problem is that my computer isn't reading my cd/dv-r's. Hmmmmm I really need to back up photos badly too!

Well today I found Everyday Digital Scrapbooking website. They had a photo editing tutorial with a link to a website for a free effect. I tried it and really seemed to understand what I need to start doing with my own photo editing.

Well after I finished with their tutorial, I started playing a bit.
This was the original


It took several different photo correction steps, I think I remember them
1. Adjust Levels
2. Adjust Brightness and Contrast
3. Remove Noise (
4. High Pass Filter radius set to 10
5. Layer Pallet set to hard light
6. Opacity slider suggested between 20 and 70) mine was 59
7. Applied a mid-tone sharpening that was a freebie offered at this website, lonestar digital
8. Then I was continuing to read the lonestar site and saw their unsharpen mask, fade tutorial but PSE4 doesn't have fade so then I was looking for some filter that may be like fade and found Halftone Pattern
9. Then I selected (I think, this is when I was goofing around) underpainting.

Anyway, this was the outcome.

Remember the cow album I mentioned?

Well Friday night I got the urge to pack up a bunch of my stash and head out for a Friday night crop. I still had the urge yesterday too, so I went and spent the day by myself working again on that album. Had to leave when they closed and I still had the urge so I discussed dragging all my stuff out with Don and we decided that the coffee table in the living room would work for a bit. Now that I've sorted out stuff and have packed and unpacked twice I'm getting good. It won't take much time at all to get ready to scrapbook.

So that cow album...it is 7x5. Each cow has it's own page. It will have the cow number and the title the artist gave it. Each page will have a little tab at the top that sticks out. The tin that is holding all of the pages will have some fun little cluster of something on the front, but I'm not altering the can too much. Hey cows don't need an altered album, they are altered! Here are a few pictures of the pages. They may not be completely finished but I decided to give you a sneak peak.



Now I should go clean up the sb table and get going on some homework I have to do. I also got this sinus infection almost overnight. UGH I can't be sick the last 9 days of school, too much going on. I also bought plants so I have some planting to do. We also roped off the section where we are going to be putting down paver stones for a small little patio. Don has these stones at work that they haven't used for years so we are getting them. Big project that needs done before the graduation party.

The weekend

Today I got some little urge to start looking for the outside or the container for my Cow album. Not just any cow album, but all the Chicago cows from Cows on Parade. These were cows that were painted, decorated or exquisitely covered with all different themes. I've had these photos for quite a few years now. I had thought that I wanted this dinner break tin and still might have to break down and order it and have it shipped because I can't find it around here. In the mean time I found a new sb store and Don just happened to have to drive right by it and picked up what I think I might use instead. I got this one because it had a clear front.
They also had this one, called Jack, on sale and I thought it might work too. I just hope that either of the two Don picked up will be the size I need. The Maya Road one will hold a 5x7 album.

So now that I've got my container on the way, I've decided not to put these in an album. I'm going to leave the pages loose like you would get files out of a drawer or something.

I'm going to really try to clean out a bunch of my scrapbook stash. I'm finding that I'm much happier creating when I do pages digitally. I love there is no mess and things don't need to be left out. I really do have a lot on my plate lately and just don't know how soon I'll be able to work on this album.

I have two really important sets of papers to grade before Thursday. On Friday we have our institute day to split up classes. This is happy but yet painful day. Happy to know you are sending kids off, especially the ones who just happen to drive you a bit batty. Painful because you've bonded with them and you want them to take what you've helped them learn and grow up. I always wonder did you really learn everything I've tried to teach you, are you ready for this? But on a happier note, the year is almost over. I've got tons to do before then. I have to finish my action research, plan and video tape me teaching a professional development lesson, finish my next portfolio before Tuesday and class again starts on Tuesday.

I got my 2007-2008 assignment yesterday and I'm staying put. I'll be teaching English, 4th grade next year at the same school. I don't know yet if I'll have to change classrooms or not, but if it's to a room with more windows than I have now, I might just be happier. That means though that everything will need packed up moved and unpacked.

I just can't wait until I start having free time again. Time that I don't have to worry about the pressures of homework and deadlines. Time for a walk, to read, or crafts. Time to update my blog a little more often.

Well my laundry is about to be finished and I need to get another load going. I should get up, get dressed and wash off the patio furniture too. Bunko group meets tonight and tomorrow my friend Mary Beth is having a southern living party.

A Cicada Invasion is about to Happen

It happens every 17 years, like clockwork. How do they know when it's been 17 years, heck I don't even remember everything that's happened in the past 17 years. What I do know is that it is predicted that on May 22, the cicadas will arrive just like they did 17 years ago.


I used to work in a old town. By that I mean an old established town with big, old trees. It seems the more trees, the more cicadas. Well it's almost like experiencing them again for the first time. See my oldest son is 17 and will be 18 on August 1. The last time they arrived, he wasn't old enough to know what the heck they were, he wasn't even 1 yet. I guess we tried to keep him away from them as much as possible. I do remember going for walks at lunch and the only things you would hear is the cicada sounds, which are actually locust sounds, and the crunch, crunch, crunch you heard with each and every step. You couldn't help but crunch their shells. They were everywhere.


Fastforward 17 years and here we are in 2007. Now I live in an older house with big old trees. Guess what I'm expecting??? CICADAS. Those big green bugs with red beady eyes. They still have 9 days before their predicted arrival, but obviously some don't understand the concept of the mass emergence. Some are digging the big holes and getting an early start. We moved the trampoline and the basketball hoop and we found these. All four of us were truly mesmorized by them.
















These two are out with their dried shells. They will grow and crack out or molt out of their shell and will become these huge flying creatures.















Finding these two were truly more interesting because they are clear/white and they are trying to get themselves out of their holes. It looks quite laborous. They move and stop and move and stop. There are holes all around there and when most emerge, there is a huge clod of dirt all mounded up with a hole through it. It is like they create a cave and bring the cave out with them. I have no idea how an insect can sleep for 17 years and still know when to come out. Heck I hope they don't strip our leaves completely from the trees. I want my shady yard to enjoy this year.

I'll try to capture some of the beady-eyed monsters when we see more of them.

Mother's Day let down

and today is just not a happy day. I went to church with Brian. He went to the student group and I sat in a crowded church alone. How can I say alone when I have friends there and they had to set up extra chairs...well I truly felt alone. Don wouldn't go. He's doubting his faith. Now when things are happening when I truly need God, and have been turning to him, my husband doubts his faith.

I started folding laundry and Brian comes and asks if he could help. I politely say, I've got it and that it had been sitting there for a week. I got it. I put it away and take the basket into my room to start sorting laundry and Don is like did you see your cards? No, we'll apparently they were sitting on my computer, along with a bunch of other stuff. I'm supposed to find my cards. I break down crying saying that no one wants to spend time with me and it's clear how upset I am and he couldn't even put his arms around me to say he was sorry he'd been working so much. So I'm working around the house. Don's working around the house. Brian's doing homework, Doug's doing a thesis paper that was assigned 2 months ago and he's still not finished and it's due tomorrow. So on a day in which I should be enjoying my family, I'm walking around alone in my house full of family.

I hope this is far from the joy and love you are experiencing. I know so many people have lost mothers and mothers' who have lost a child and today is probably a sorrowful day. I hope that all mothers can find some happiness today. I wish I could find a bit of happiness, but I'm truly expecting nothing more than what I have already. Some days I doubt my usefulness as a mother. I have self-doubt that my children appreciate what I've tried to give them and do for them. My own self-absorption in school and work I'm sure is part of the reason my kids feel neglected. I guess if they feel that way, then there should be no reason that I feel neglected on Mother's Day.

Finally back around the blog scene

I've made it through the end of the class. I've started collecting data and journaling for my action research project. I made it through the prom weekend and now I find out I'm going to have to have someone video tape me doing one of the big projects for next semester. I'm dreading it starting because I have loads and loads of stuff to do.



You know the end of a school year is almost worse than the beginning of one for a teacher. Files to organize and maintain, post tests, end of the year stuff, packing up, all that good stuff. I guess we are also finding out our placements in 10 days. I can't think that far ahead, I can only go day by day since there is so much to do.



I thought I'd come by and calculate how many more days until the last day of grad school...47 weekdays.



I also thought I might add a few prom pictures for your viewing pleasure.



I can't believe this kid is going to graduate soon. The announcements went postal yesterday.

Countdown clarification

I know my blog has been totally neglicated, but until I get all the work done for this darn class I have to cut out some stuff and the bloggie is it. Believe me, I'd much rather be updating my blog, scrapbooking, exercising, and other fun things that "normal" people do. By normal I mean everyone who does fun activities in their free time, not overconsumed with homework. I'll be so glad to be back among the "normal" people soon.

Now today I came to calculate how many more days were left until the last grad class. I got out the calendar and counted 74 days. YIKES how did it go from 60 to 74??? Then I went back and recalculated. I thought it should be only 54. Believe me 54 sounds so much better than 74. How did the number jump to 74 you ask? Well I did not count weekends. I guess I figured when the lady who is retiring at work only counts weekdays and days with students, I guess I originally decided to only count weekdays. So today I'll clarify how I'm counting. I'm only counting weekdays, not weekends.

Therefore...there are only 54 more days until the last day of grad class. YIPEE!

Just updating

60 days!

What a weekend

The weather has been fantastic! Yesterday about 77, today 80. Today is a bit more windy, gusty you'd say. The winds of change are blowing. We are predicted to have thunderstorms tonight. Hey I'm enjoying today for today.

Church, wake, musical, now an assignment. Nothing new in that respect; just another typical day in my world. I'll be so happy to rejoin the ranks of the "what normal people do" after school is out.

Today was the final day of the musical. The kids all seemed so much more relaxed today. After they tear down the set, there is another cast party. Doug's gotten home the past couple nights after 1:00 am. It's no wonder he didn't want to get up yesterday morning, or this morning. I hope he's having the time of his life. He's got approximately 30 more school days until he graduates.

With that it means I have about 30 more school days. I'll get that official update tomorrow from a co-worker who is retiring and has been counting down since last year. He also needs to make up his mind who he will ask to prom. The theme is something James Bond..007. Great theme I think considering they are graduating in 07! I actually think he's got 2 extra days off this week because the seniors don't attend school while the juniors take their state assessments. Lucky guy!

Just a reminder...61 more days until grad school is officially FINISHED!!

Ok off to make a decision about what's for dinner. I also need to go buy some dog food. Oh...that assignment too. Well it's almost over.

ahhhhhhhh TGIF

It's late and it's almost Friday...payday Friday to be exact.
This has been the first week back and a crazy one.
My students were selected to perform at the district fine art's fair. I couldn't go because Brian had a volleyball game and today was the opening night of Doug's highschool musical Music Man.

Today one of my students was a bit out of control today and I asked his father to come in. That helped a bit. Tomorrow should be better.

Yesterday I got my rough draft back and it has a lot of edits. I'm not sure I trust the guy proofing it because he's had articles published and there are mistakes that stick out like a sore thumb in the published article. Anyay there are A LOT of things he wants me to work on and I have another project due on Tuesday as well.

I also had another nice suprise today. Someone brought a guest to my room. Not really a guest, a visitor. It was the university supervisor who was in charge of my student teacher. He gave me a paper that allows me to take a 3 semester grad class for free.

Yeah...don't even say it...I'm counting down the number of days until my Master's degree is finished, 64 more, and I'm thinking about taking another class. This is the way teacher's make more money...take more classes.

Want to shout out to my good friend Adri who I'd love to have a mini vacation to come and say hi!
Congrats to Ursula and Chris on 10 years of marriage.
And to Doug...you did a great job tonight!

update...

66 more days today!

Update on the countdown

Today was the first day back after "spring" break. I put spring in quotes for the mere fact that we had snow and temps in the 20's and 30's. Therefore it was more like a winter break do-over. I am a bit glad the weather was horrible because I was inside working on my paper for so long. I had a hard enough time concentrating as it was without gorgeous weather.

Tomorrow is parent-teacher conference day. I really feel this is one of the worst days of the year. I really dread having to continually tell parents..well you know when your child does not do their homework, they aren't getting enough practice and therefore that is why his/her grade isn't really good. You'd think that parents would start to give a hoot. Some do and then there is those who don't. Nice example for your kids to live up to.

Ok today there is 67 more days until the last day of grad school and a teacher at work says there are 38 more school days...only 35 with kids. This teacher has had the countdown going since the first day of LAST year. she's retiring...can you tell she's ready??

Still haven't gotten back my edited version of my paper. Hopefully soon because I know it still needs work.

I also have a paraprofessional project to do. Maybe tomorrow after conferences. It's just too nice looking outside to sit behind my computer all night. That and I want a night off. I can sit, watch tv and grade papers. That's another part of the job I hate.

Counting down

68 days until July 12, 2007!

Thought you might like to know!

Just the countdown

69 days until grad school is over!

Ever feel lucky on Friday the 13th??

Well I do!! Today was the day I've fought and fought for. Today was the day the school finally decided that Brian should have an IEP. He has definitely qualified for a while, but they've finally decided that he's had enough F's that he needs something. I was exhausted fighting this fight. I almost gave up many times. I can't count the number of times I've thrown my hands up and said I can't do this anymore.

Well today I finally feel like we've won! I'm so glad I didn't give up. I'm so glad I didn't just let my kid fail without fighting for him. I really hope that my son can see that I've fought and fought and now he's got to become his own advocate and fight too. He's got to get in gear and be successful. We've just got some things in place that should help him do that. My comments to the people last week was you know he qualifies, what is the worst that will happen by giving him an IEP? My answer to them was the worst that would happen is that he'll be successful. I truly feel that's true because without one we've already been experiencing the worst, he is failing. So in my opinion what's the worst is already happening so how could it be worse.

Ok it's been a rotten weather for spring break. We had snow on Wednesday and Thursday. Today is sunny! Now I have to work on this paper, the rough draft is due to be emailed today. GRrrrrrrrrr

My friend Chris, who is on vacation in North Carolina and her paper is due next week, had a dream that the professor died! Yikes but someone said he's more like Cybil and you never know who is going to show up and instruct the class. Notice I didn't say "teach"???? He's really taught us nothing. Good think I am not paying for this master's degree!

Ok...I've started the count down...there are 70 days until the last day of the last master's class!

Wow...powerful words

I've been reading all day for my lit review and I finally came across something that is powerful and thought provoking, although of no use to me in my writing.

"Even under the most horrendous conditions, one has the power to choose one's own attitude."

Mosaic of Thought

I was supposed to get a facial and pedicure but apparently the girl called in sick and they failed to call me before my appointment. Bummer, but I have read 147 pages and taken notes on the book "Mosaic of Thought" I also have about 8 journal articles to read and I want to finish the book "Better Answers." I can't say that I'd recommend any of them for light, enjoyable reading but for an educator...Mosaic of Thought is quite interesting.

SPRING BREAK!!!!

It's finally here!! I'm on spring break. Albeit alone, my kids were off 2 weeks ago but for all the homework I have due on Friday, alone/quiet may be a blessing.
I've got about 3 weeks left of this class and one final class to finish over the summer before my master's degree is finished. FINALLY THE END IS IN SIGHT!!
The problem is that half of the final assignments coming due are BIT, REALLY BIG and they carry over to the summer semester for the second part of the grade. Right now I have about 25 pages of an action research project due on Friday. It's the rough draft, but the other half of the class is due a week from Friday. Bummer being in the A-M half of the alphabet. Therefore I'm frantically scanning tons of research and articles for the largest part of the literature review. Unfortunately, the topic my students struggle with is a topic that is not clearly defined and written about. I have to use a bunch of different types of research articles and pull a lot of ideas into my topic. It is definetly not what I had in mind, but I really think this topic will be useful to me for future classes and with the darn state testing.

OK other plans for the week: buy the musical tickets for the Music Man that Doug's school choir is performing, today is a badly needed cut and color, run to take the vacuum cleaner in, update a college library card, mail off the boxtops and soup labels for the school and hopefully watch Brian play in his first volleyball match of the highschool season. He's been inelligible due to grades but for the first time all year there are NO F's!!!! Friday is the meeting which he'll hopefully qualify for an IEP.

Ok rambling finished. I do have a cool new digital scrapbook project that I'm secretly working on. I'll do some posting after I continue testing out what I'm doing to see if everything is working perfectally!

If your weather is beautiful...will you please send me some...it's 30's here and gloomy gray. I need a little warmth and sunshine to make it really feel like spring, not to mention spring break!

What's in a name???

Oh man I saw this on Christy Lyle's blog and new I had to copy it and find out all my new names.

Please feel free to add this to your own blog too!

1. Your real name:
Laura
2. Your Gangsta Name: (first 4 letters of real name plus izzle:}
Laurizzle
3. Your Detective Name: (fav color and fav animal)
Green Giraffe
4. Your Soap Opera Name: (middle name, and childhood street)
Elizabeth Carilla
5. Your Star Wars Name: (the last 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first name, first 3 letters of mom’s maiden name)
Gerlaboh Oh my it certainly does sound Starwarish
6. Your Super Hero Name: (2nd favorite color, favorite drink)
Golden Chai Frap
7. Your Witness Protection Program Name: (grandmother/grandfather’s first name and Jones)
Mildred Jones
8. Your Goth name: (black, and the name of one your pets).
Black Emmie

These are so funny! Love my Star Wars name and my superhero name!
I can't wait to see your cool new names!

Spring updating

I've been trying to decide what to do with my bathroom since we've moved in a little over a year ago. I've never really found a shower curtain that's really caught my eye, until today. Most won't believe my new shower curtain, but I think it's fun and whimsical! I need some fun and whimsy in my life with all the stress that is coming sooner than I care to deal with.

I found out last week that my last day of my master's program is July 12, 2007!!!!!
Between finishing all of the work involved between my current class, my action research project, the next class projects, and updating my teaching philosophy and finishing a few more portfolio projects, that is daily stress.

There are also about 40ish days until the last day of school, which is also the same day as Doug's graduation. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I can't believe it's been 13 years already since that very first day of kindergarten and the principal said, "Parents I give you the class of 2007."

While shopping today, I asked Don if he ever missed having a little kid around. Can you guess his response???? He said, "NO!" I tear up every time I think of graduation and how fast the past years have literally flown by. Forty is just a new chapter in my life. I'm only 2 months into my 40's and I've still got a lot to experience.

Anyway, I'll share a photo of myself with my new glasses. I get comments about them all the time. They are my hip glasses. I guess it's part of the am I accepting being 40 syndrome.

And just because it's spring, I had to brighten up my dining room with 3 bunches of mauve tulips. Enjoy!

Just back to post another

I've really had a bit of creativity lately and I'm so glad. I've finally got some mojo back.

Here's the newest one.

Credits can be found here

104 posts and counting

I must have a change in attitude since it feels like spring is here. I feel happier and I think exercising is giving me a lot more energy. I've seriously been neglecting this blog. I'm sorry. I think that being a wife, mom, teacher, grad student, daughter, friend, and on 3 creative teams is stretching myself a bit, but alas the end of grad school inches ever closer as the Tuesday's pass by. We find out this Tuesday afternoon, exactly when our classes end. It will be somewhere in the vacinity of July 15. Somewhere between June 8 and July 30 there will be a hellacious graduation party. Actually make it a double! Doug graduated on June 8...and me well not officially until the winter graduation ceremony, but I'll officially have a master's degree before that. At least my pay raise will go through for the entire school year for next year.


Ok...I'll stop rambling and just come for what I originally dropped by for...to post a third scrapbook page I completed. The kit is from Jen Wilson, About a Boy I think, the template is from Rachael Giallongo, Challenge 25 I believe at The Digichick.



This is my senior! I found all of these on this computer. He's got the first one on his myspace and I saw it there. I seriously about pooped my pants when I saw it the first time, but the more I continue to look at these photos, I can truly see although he's growing up, there is still a little boy who loves to play and have fun. This kid wants to fly...this proves it, this and how high he gets when jumping on the trampoline.

Love ya Big D!

2 in a row!

Hmmmmmmm does that mean posts or digital layouts??? You decide! ;)

For me it means that I've been at the computer all morning instead of doing things like laundry, grading papers, cleaning bathrooms, exercising. You know! Well it does mean that my digital creative team committments for this wonderful double-up kit by Christine Smith and Jenn Howland is finished...finally. I was lacking for a bit of creativity.

Anyway this adorable little princess is my friend Ursula Page's daughter. She's such a cutie. Ursula let me use this photo because I don't have any little girl pictures. I don't even have any baby pictures. So I told her I'd give her photography business a bit of a plug. You can see her wonderful photos here at her blog.

Ursula I hope you like this little girly page. Using pink is not as easy for me as some. I only have boys, so I use a lot of other colors, not pink.

Enjoy your weekend, I need to make some dessert for church group tonight. Hmmmmm I have no clue what to make.

A bit of creativity

After a long week I'm so glad it's Friday. I've been to the Y 3 times this week. My workouts are getting a bit longer and longer. I really am finally not feeling blahhhhhhhhh and I'm more motivated to keep going, even if going alone.

This is the first weekend in a long time that I don't feel bogged down with work. I do have some small homework things to do, and think of a research question to start on for the action research project for the summer. I also have lesson plans, a few papers to grade, a ton of laundry, and have to make desert for our small church group tomorrow night. Looking for a yummy recipe...anyone have one??

I'm also trying to catch up on design team work. Here is my newest layout. All the elements are from Christine Smith and Jenn Howland. It is a double-up kit called Delightly Diverse. It is available at The Digichick

So here are some photos from Miraval.

Another week

And it's been crazy. This week was ISAT testing at school. You know..Illinois Standard Acheivement Test. The test they base our annual yearly progress upon. The one that determines if you are meeting the NCLB (no child left behind) requirements. Please don't get me started on how rediculous that NCLB is.


So besides the upside down schedule at school, testing, missing planning periods and such, Brian had a volleyball, parent required, meet the team night dinner and I thought it was next week. I walked in the door as the dinner delivery driver pulled in right behind me with our hot dinner and I thought ahhhhhhhhhhhh time to eat and relax. NOOOOOOOOOO, me in a skirt and it was warm when I left and became overly windy and cold by the time I got home. Get back into the car, drag a case of water with to the dinner. I was actually a bit sad to go because instead of having both the boys playing one year of high school volleyball together, Doug wasn't there. It was so heartbreaking to see all these kids he's played with for so long standing there in their new windsuits and a sophmore on the team standing where Doug should have been. I'm glad he made his decision for himself, I just hope it is something he doesn't regret for the rest of his life.



On a happier note, Doug spoke up at the musical practice and took another part. It's little, him and another boy have to bring in a desk but it's another part. That is some initiative for him, and he says he's having fun with it. That somewhat makes up for my own volleyball blues.



My clinical student from a local university will be teaching her second lesson this week. Another "teachers must be flexible" schedule change. She thinks this week will be her last week. She's calculated that she has all of her hours in. She's been a tremendous help with grading tons of papers for me. This week grades are due and the third quarter ended on Friday. I've got teachers at school counting the days until the end of the year. Last week sometime, there were 53 school days left. Spring break, yes it is so badly needed, is still 3 weeks away. Arrrrrrrrrrghhhh it feels like it will be forever before it gets here.

Anyway I have a huge project due for class this week and I think Brian's first volleyball game is the same night. Since this is a group project, I think I'll let the other two take the assignment in and I'll skip out for the volleyball game. That is if he's eligible to play. Still battling the grade thing here. The new medicine seems to be working much better though. Hopefully this is the incentive he needs to pull those grades up. If not, he's working on the 5-year plan.

Ok, I'll end this by showing you a new scrapbook layout I just whipped together with Cindy Simon's new template and her St. Patrick's Day kit. Both are available at www.elementalscraps.com



Anyway...Happy St. Patrick's Day. I hope the leprechaun finds you and leaves a bit o'luck and a piece of gold for ya. Here's a pinch for you without your green on!

New layouts

I've been able to create a couple new layouts this week since I finally got one major assignment finished. Another is due soon, but there isn't class next week so we will use the usual classtime to work on it. It's major too! I hate these huge assignments :{

Anyway, these two layouts are using kits by Cindy Simon available at Elemental Scraps.

This is a kit called Lucky You. You can purchase it at at Elemental Scraps. Full credits can be found here. Right now there is a great deal on this kit. If you purchase the kit, you get the cool shamrock pin alpha for free! Of course it also come with the super easy to use pin action. I thought the pins were awesome!


The second layout is of my friend Shellie's daughter Kiana from her Libby Lu makeover day.

Thanks for the photo Shellie!



Full credits can be found here. Cindy Simon's Kit Rebecca can be purchased at Elemental Scraps.
Other than this and school and class my life's been pretty "normal." For those who know me well, "normal" is like walking up hill, backwards in a windstorm.

I do have great news though...I've lost 10 pounds! I'm beginning to have more energy. I'll keep working with my personal trainer for a few more weeks and need to get to the Y more often than I do. At least the weather is getting nice for a few outdoor walks. Since the days will be getting longer, I'm sure the dogs will love the walks.

Keep on keeping on!

a new look!

Yep I'm trying the new glasses thing again. This time I made sure the lenses were the absolute lightest ones I could find. You have to pay for a good thing and yikes these were significantly more than I usually pay. But hey...I'm worth it. I even got a "hey sexy" from my husband! They must look pretty good.





So I've decided to post a picture of just the glasses...not me in them yet, just the glasses to see what people's comments are. After that I'll snap a picture when my hair is done and I have on some makeup. Today it was quick shower and left to pick them up with wet hair.

Selected Layout AKA TOOT!!

Today I read the newsletter from The Digichick I found out that my layout was selected as the very first TDC product layout. My layout was right there in the newsletter and I guess I get a gift certificate or something. How cool is this! I don't know if my brother or sister-in-law read my blog but this is their cute son! He is so darn photogenic!

A Realization

It just dawned on me tonight that tomorrow may be the very last time I get to watch my oldest son play volleyball.

He's been playing volleyball for 4 years. He is a senior and tomorrow is the final tournament for his club team. Tonight we had a conversation about the high school team. He said he wants to play but he doesn't know if he wants to play for the coach. This coach is very demanding. We know that and that isn't what is holding him back. What is holding him back is that he keeps telling my son he needs to lose 10 pounds. The varsity coach even told his club team coach. My son expressed tonight that he doesn't know if he wants to be judged upon his weight instead of his ability. He is an average to above average outside hitter. He plays the right side, which is a bit harder than playing the left side or middle for a right hander.

While we were talking I started to cry and I knew this upset him. Actually the tears are welling up now as I type. It's not that I care what his decision is about trying out. I'm cool with whatever he decides because it is his life. He just has to be satisified with his decision. He's got to not regret his decision in the future. What is hard is that I figured I had about 4 more years of good sports mom in me. But Brian will probably not play because of grades and some behavior issues he has going on.

Being a sports mom is a huge part of who I am. It's been who I am since my oldest son was 4. We've played baseball almost every season until this summer. We've played many years of fall and spring soccer. Being the sports mom on hot summer nights, cold fall days, and wet spring mornings is who I am. I feel it is one of the biggest parts of me being a mom. If I haven't always been the best mom to my kids, they've always known that I've always, ALWAYS tried to make their sporting events. I bet I can count on 2 hands how many I've missed. Some days I would run across town to see both of them play when they were both playing at the same time. On Saturday's I was a single sports mom whenever Don worked.

I realize that tomorrow may be it. It may be the last sporting event that Doug plays in as a child. Sports has been his rights of passage. Sports is who he is. Sports, and his love of them has helped him make decisions on his future. If I had to rename this boy, his name would be Espen. The name the letters ESPN sound out when said together.

As I tried to explain to him why I was crying and told him that I feel I'm losing a part of myself, and realize that tomorrow may be it, he said, "Mom take a lot of pictures." I guarantee I will do just that. The last tournament is one of those a that a mother dreams about. Both boys are at the same location. At the end, I want to make sure I get a picture of both of them together next to the net, with their arms around one another, like teammates and brothers should do with those volleyballs in their hands. I'd also love to see Brian set Doug some balls to capture the jump, the spike or kill, and the face that shows such gratification, dedication, and the love of the game on film.

If tomorrow happens to be the last day, I will always have these to help me remember.

Happy Valentines Day

Today was just a nice, normal kind of day. Although it was Valentine's Day, we don't really celebrate. I guess why should I show the ones I love more love today? I want them to know how special they are to me everyday. I don't need to give or receive cards to know that. It is a Hallmark holiday if you ask me; Hallmark and the florists!

The roads are finally about back to normal. Yesterday I think we got close to a foot of snow. It is really high in some places due to the blowing and drifting. Thankfully my commute was much more normal today. Yesterday it was double, 1 hour 30 minutes.

We are having time with the router. For some reason it won't connect with the laptops. I need to find out what is going on. I really don't want to have to buy a new one, but it is driving us all nuts. I think I'll try climbing under the desk and reconnecting everything before I chalk it up to the router. I wish I had some "techno geek" who could walk me through the whole thing. Not so much though.

Just wanted to make sure you all knew you are my valentines! Happy Valentines Day!

New Blogger here I come

Today I was forced to switch to the new blogger. I really hope this goes smoothly.
From the looks of things, it does look about the same. Now I need to get used to
the changes on the posting end.

What is this new section, lables for this post?
Hmmmmmmmmmmmm I'll have to keep experimenting.

Anyone else feeling a bit sad? It's like you've lost part of who you are just by a simple switchover.

I love the trainer

I went to my personal trainer again yesterday. She pushes me to do things I hadn't done before. I know I'm flexible and pretty coordinated but yesterday I used the spin bike for just a short bit. The way I could put my foot into the footcage on the pedal and get on amazed her. Then I used a bosu ball. Ever heard of one of those, I hadn't!

I really think I could use it at home. I think that everyone in my family could use it. It strenghtens your core. I need a stronger core too!

I also used the big ball and when we did some stretches, she asked if I did yoga. I have never done yoga but aparently, I know some yoga move. She called it the cobra. Hmmmmmmmm yoga by osmossis!

Ok, next Friday I have another trainer session and I have to get at least 2 days of cardio exercise in too. If I get 3 I get 2 gold stars! Don gave me 4 trainer sessions for Christmas. I think it was the best gift! I definately am going to pay for more.

Something is finally clicking. I've prayed about this and it is working! I haven't had a can of soda since January 1!!

A Don update

I've got some updated news about Don and the health situation we encountered 3-4 weeks ago. Today we went to the neurologist and this one was totally upfront and proactive. I'm so glad we switched. This one actually wondered what I saw when it happened. Once I told him, he pointed to his own head and said...your siezure started here and it did this and that. Exactly right! Don's also been doing research and new a few things he said too. When we told him about his job, and other things, and our concerns he addressed them upfront, honestly, and with a bit of humor to lighten things up which was really helpful.

He said a lot of doctors say, let's wait and see if you have another one. Like you need to live in fear that you could have another one. This doctor said, let's eliminate the fear, put you on medicine, you shouldn't have another one, although you still could, and get you back to your normal life. I'm concerned about the length of time he feels Don will probably need to be on the anti-seizure medicine, but Don is a bit relieved. He said probably 5 years worth of daily meds. See I told you a lot. But since Don is going on the medicine, he'll be going back to work on Monday. Hmmmmmmmm...he goes back to work after 3ish weeks and I get a day off...alone!!!!! ;) I'm sure I'll be doing some homework, housework, but I'm also planning a bit of retail therapy!

I'm looking for a new pair of black casual shoes. I'm primarily looking to see if I can find a pair of Privo shoes by Clarks that I absolutely love. I got a gift card from my Oprah teacher friend and can't wait to go browse and see what I can find.

Ok, now that I've given you a bit of an update, I'm going to go. I've got a sweet tooth today. Yesterday too. I feel the need to just gobble up tons of junk food. I've been doing so good lately too, but I'm going to the Y tomorrow for another trainer session.

Hope you are well and you've got some decent weather. Ours stinks. Let's just say this...WIND CHILL's Suck! Don't move north if ya don't want the wind and cold. I'm so tired of hearing the "real feel" temperature is minus...blah blah blah. Give me a break, don't bring out the sun if it's not going to warm up the earth! I want some heat! Not that much though, 70's is great, 40's would even feel like a heat wave.

Ok, going now for sure. Until we meet again!

Want to grade papers?

I swear I must have about 200 papers to grade. I absolutely HATE grading papers. Since I was off for 5 days ending this past Monday, I am really behind. Want to help me grade??? For some reason, other people seem to think grading papers is fun. Do you remember when the teacher let you correct papers in class? Did you like it?

Updating you on Don. He's still off work. He'll be off again all this week too. We are going to a different neurologist for a second opinion. We need to get all those test results and then see if he gives us different results. Thursday is that lucky day. No more seizures since January 20th. He's starting to kick the sinus infection too, but still has a headache. He's had the headache since around January 15th. That is what is still puzzling and worrisome to me. He isn't supposed to drive for 3 months, although they don't know what caused it.

As you might have guessed....the medical bills have just started arriving. Can't wait to add up the total of all of this. Care to guess?? MRI with contrast, EEG, 2 neurologist visits, 3 doctor visits, a trip to the ER in the ambulance, and several perscriptions. Thankfully his boss is understanding and he's not been docked for any pay. Thankfully we have good insurance and a flexible spending account. And I'm most thankful that they are saying it's not a brain tumor, a stroke, or epilepsy.

I think he was stressing out about his job, and the promotion he was pushed into taking. The other day it totally dawned on me, he may have had the seizure because of the stress from the promotion, but if he hadn't taken the promotion we were told he'd have to be let go from the previous job due to the excessive driving involved. Isn't life strange?

Well it's bitterly cold here. I could make ice cubes in less than 5 minutes here. The temps have been dropping all day and we are supposed to be -10F and windchills
-20 to -35 below. Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

We'll be watching the superbowl here tomorrow. GO BEARS!!

So I've managed to do a bit of scrapping instead of homework or grading those papers...shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh



All the elements on the page and the paint are by Christine Smith and are available at The Digichick.

Remember the Apple Bottom story?

Well some of my friends said, "We don't want to see the model in the jeans, we want to see your butt in those jeans." Well I took that as a dare and set the camera on timer and snapped a few pictures of my butt in those jeans!

Then I took it a little further. I had to create an All-About-Me page with the photos. Here is the finished product!



All the products are by Christine Smith full credits

Just a busy blogger

I've been busy lately and have not been worrying about my blog. I've also been avoiding it because I've really not wanted to post about things that have been happening. First of all, my birthday was getting close and I was dreading turning 40. Well I couldn't avoid it, it happened today. So Happy 40th birthday to me. I like to really think of it as the 11th anniversary of my 29th birthday.

I've also been busy with Don. Last Saturday we were with our small group of church friends and had just finished having dinner when Don had a seizure. Out of the blue, and never before has this happened. He went by ambulance to the ER and was released but we don't have any idea why it happened. This was not the end of our doctor visits. Tuesday we were at our doctor. Tuesday night we were back at the hospital at 9:30 for a MRI. Wednesday afternoon we were at the neurologist. Thursday we were back at the hospital for an EEG. Today I had to take off to recouperate, and on Monday we'll be back at the neurologist. We are hoping to get good news and that Don can drive again and go back to work. He's still feeling like he's got this virus that has started almost a week and a half ago, and that the sinus infection isn't gone yet, and the cough is still hanging on. Not to mention that he's still got the headache that won't go away from the very first day of the virus.

Ok, all that being said, I was scared to death seeing him go into a seizure. Everyone said that I maintained my composure in amazing fashion. It sure puts things into perspective though. Here I was worried about turning 40 and this happens to my husband. I don't care how old I will be as long as he's healthy. What worries me though is a couple things. One, will this happen again and two why doesn't it seem like, for a healthy 41 year old, that he's bouncing back to his normal self?

Today I did a scrapbook page. I really like this one a lot.



The credits are here

Ok, no blogging for me until after Don and I go back to work, my portfolio is finished and I get my book order organized and submitted.

Until then...adios

A bit of Mojo

I've had a spurt of mojo lately.

I made 7 simple thank you cards. I lost our address book in the move and altered a spiral journal. Yes, I really used paper, scissors, glue, ribbon, and stickers. It felt a bit unusual! I still have to cut and tie on all the ribbons onto the spiral. It was done though and cute. Now I can start filling it up with names, addresses & phone numbers.

Wouldn't ya just know as soon as I made a new one, the old one appeared. It was in the top of the closet on a shelf. I think it's a bit jealous of the new one so it appeared. It's been missing since February!

I've also been trying to scrap a bit. Digital is my way now. I really have the urge to ditch all the paper I have and sell it on ebay, but then I think I have so many old photos and half completed albums that I really should keep it and finish those albums.

But here is what I've done.



Credits



Credits

Oprah's Favorite Things

Now as you know, my big secret is out. For those of you who don't know me too well, I was selected to be on Oprah's Favorite Things show in 2004. It was the show for teachers. You had to go onto her website and write a little essay about why you are a teacher. I did, only one time no less. I found out others wrote in more than once, twice, or even three times. I got a phone call at school that I had to return and I was invited to be on Oprah. I got to take one teaching friend with me. We went early that Saturday morning and stood outside for about an hour. It was the Saturday before Thanksgiving. It was very unusual because she never tapes on Saturday and the past two days worth of previews were talking about Monday's show being the OFT show. Then they said OFT's with a twist. I kept telling my friend, what if it's the show. Then it started out all normal, except they fed us a snack in the waiting room. Hmmmmmmm was that a clue? Did they know we were going to be there a longggggggggg time? Next Oprah started it out all normal then broke into today's Oprah's Favorite Things and elves came out, trees started coming down from the ceilings, and soapy, snow bubbles started falling. The place started changing into Christmas, and then the fun started. The yelling and screaming freenzy began. It was unbelievable, and the screaming was not fake. It was something you never, in any way, shape or form, ever believe you'd experience.

Anyway, I know I'm going to get those questions "What did you get?" and as time goes on, I inevitably forget something. Often it's something big. I've decided to post the link to the Oprah show for that day. This is exactly what I received. I also get the question were you on tv, yes a couple of times, and sometimes it was just my boobs!

Now I always get this question too, how do you get the stuff home?? Well when you see the elves pass out the stuff, that stuff you get one of, you keep a pile of stuff, as best you can, down at your feet. It gets crowded. Then after the show, they come out and explain a lot of things. Then we got a file with gift certificates and forms to fill out and complete. They had due dates and also let us know that some things, like the tea pot would not ship out until after March. That is where I thought I had returned my card too late for my Apple Bottom jeans. I was holding off because they didn't offer my size. Then I wrote a note saying if you have a larger size, could I have that. I guess I thought too-bad-too-sad, you get what we offer, or my card arrived too late. I was waiting to see if I'd lose weight. HAHAHAHAHAA. So that's it, that is my story in a nutshell. I guess it's my 15 minutes of fame and my brush with celebrity. And for that one additional question... what was your favorite gift? I'd have to say I have 2. One was the trip I took to Mirival with my husband. It was beautiful, relaxing, and unforgetable; we want to go back. My other favorite I'm using right now, my laptop. I think other than being on vacation, I've used it everyday since receiving it. I've used it so much that there are dips in all the home row keys, the a, s, n, e letters are almost worn off and there is part of the space bar kind of dug out from where my fingernail hits it for each and every space.

The Oprah Gratitude Gift

How in the heck do you thank Oprah for giving you thousands and thousands of dollars in gifts? Well I know it was all donated from the other companies, but I was on her show. It was her staff members who found my little blurb about why I teach worthy of an invitation. It took me a while to figure out how to get something there. I worked with a teacher whose daughter had a good friend who helped pick out Oprah's clothes. What a fun job that would be! There was my in, I'd send it directly to her attention, not to Oprah's. I put a note inside explaining the circumstances and mailed it off.

I thought that when my neighbor called saying there was a package and it said Oprah on it, it was for sure going to be what I made being sent back. Don't ask me why, this is the way I frequently think. I'm sure it has to do with often times not feeling like I'm good enough. That's a blog for another day.

Well here is what I made for her. It is a little accordian folder. It has a lot to do with gratitude, blessings, hope, and inspiration; all things that Oprah stands for. Inside each accordian pocket, there is a tag. Each tag has an inspirational quote or saying about being blessed, or help. In the last one, is a hand written, heart-felt thank you for her appreciation of teachers and my appreciation of all the gifts she bestowed upon me.

It was a hugely emotional thing getting that stuff and it was God's way of telling me that I'd finally figured it out. I was always meant to be a teacher and for me to unselfishly be willing to go into a district where poverty is the norm and English is not. I felt I was being rewareded for my love of my job and for doing so much for those who don't have enough.

I was a little upset when people on 2 peas started trashing what Oprah does and how the women and men in the audience go a little too ga-ga and it's all pretend. Like the people there are people who don't need the stuff anyway. Well I quickly managed to put that behind me because that isn't what it was about. It was over 2 years ago now. My teaching friend and I still give each other a little happy anniversary of the day we went to Ophah talk. I wish I would have been able to buy a copy of that episode. It is fun to look back and remember.

A Surprise Package

We continually get a call from an old neighbor saying I've got your mail. See the old mailman is not forwarding our mail, even though we do have a forwarding order in place. Thankfully the person who bought our house is kind enough to bring the mail next door. Today's call was just a slight bit different. This call said, Hi Laura, it's Robin. I have mail for you. But today there is a package. My son ran over there and picked it up. He met my husband and I got a call that the package said "Oprah Request."

I figured that it was something being returned to me that I made for Oprah. I figured they finally got around to open it and they didn't want it. But another clue on the box said "picked fresh."

The mystery deepens! So I tore open the box. There was a letter from Apple Bottom apologizing for taking so long to get my jeans. The jeans I was given when I was on Oprah's Favorite Things in 2004. I just today received my Apple Bottom jeans and for the problem of getting them to me they sent a free shirt too! I'd given up all hope. Heck it's been over 2 years. What a nice surprise!

They fit like a glove too. They feel custom made, although I know they aren't. I even got a compliment from my husband. He said, "Those jeans make your but look good!" Wow two nice surprises in one day. My kids said, "Mom you're supporting a rapper." So they are cool today!

So here they are...my Apple Bottom jeans.



Here is the shirt I got for my inconvenience. Mine is white, not brown.


I also got a ton of Christmas cards. Shellie I got your card today, thanks!

Also, here is the folder that I made for Oprah as a way to show my gratitude and appreciation for everything I received.

Blogger is being a poop and it won't let me add those photos.

Back to school

Yep it's over. Vacation officially ends today, tomorrow it's back to school.
I've taken advantage of having 2 weeks off and feel I've made it through a little more relaxed than usual. It sure was nice to have just the weekend before Christmas then it was like having almost 2 full weeks off without the stress or the hustle and bustle getting ready for Christmas.

Over my "winter break" which I still slip and call it Christmas vacation ;) I offically finished crocheting 2 hats, 3 scarves, and 1 shawl. I am ready to start an afghan. 4 colors, newish stitch for me but I've checked out a couple of visual reference books and a million question book from the library. I also managed to catch up on 2.5 seasons of Sex in the City. I'm in the middle of season 4 now. Carrie's second go-round with Aiden. Whoaaaaaaa that guy buffed himself up and looks so much better with short hair!

So I'd better get to bed so I can get up and be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for those kiddos in the morning. In addition to back to school, I need to go get my eyebrows waxed, we forgot today during my appointment, pick up some mail, I want to get back to water aerobics, the boys have volleyball practice, I have thank you notes to make or buy and write out, and I still have a couple of scrapbook pages to finish for my creative team committments. OH!!!!!! How ever could I forget the BCS game is on too! GO BUCKEYES!!!!!!!!!

Wish me luck on my first day back, I hope those kids are a bit more quiet than usual...you know being off of their schedule and all ;)

Here is my newest page

credits

Back and trying to relax and get things done

We had a fantastic time doing very little in Wisconsin.
There wasn't any snow at all and the boys were bummed they
couldn't snowmobile. I was too in fact. The boys found
some things to do on the ice. Brian found out he's a pretty
good ice skater. Doug wouldn't put on the skates when Brian
was done to even try. I put on the ladies skates, that were
brand new and totally too stiff to skate in.

We had a nice Chrismtas and wanted to show off a couple of
pictures of the cabin. The boys totally want to return in
the summer, but it's booked for every week already.

I did start crocheting again. I've been hooking like
crazy! Anyway, that is what vacations are for right, relaxation??
I'm trying hard to rest, relax, and enjoy before school starts
again on the 8th.

Enjoy the view, we did!