Chalkboard Craze

I hate to admit it, but I have jumped on the chalk covered bandwagon! I painted my front door with tintable chalkboard paint. 

To begin with the door looked like this:

I cleaned, sanded, and prepped the door for painting:

After that first coat, I wasn't so sure that this was a good idea. The only positive was that I liked the color:

It did look much better after the second coat. 

 

 Looks even better after I removed the painters tape. I did have to go in and use a q-tip to paint in around the hardware.

The hardest part of all was waiting the three days before I could play with the chalk!

Voila! I got in conditioned this morning! I added one of my favorite quotes and it is done! I admit that during the school year, this door will mostly be used as a giant reminder board, but I like the quote for now. 

 

 

I probably need to use a wider chalk....but you get the idea. I think I am really going to like this!

Advice to my 15 year old self

As part of an ad campaign, a beauty company asked what beauty advice you would give to your 15 year old self. Of course, the famous quote "Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize." came to mind first. But, I began to ponder and eventually came up with these thoughts that weren't all about beauty.

1. Don't care so much about what other people think. Go about the business of finding out who YOU are as a person. 
2. The pretty girls? The ones who are so stuck up now and bitchy? Most of them  will be fat and ugly 10 years after they get out of high school.
3. Take every type of class you can - even the ones that you don't think you will like. They will provide background for something that you want to do or learn later in life.
4. Have fun! Try new things! Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do something or try to make you afraid. Go for it!
5. Being nervous is OK - don't use nerves as an excuse not to do something. Just take a deep breath and get on with it. 
6. Friendships end. It is sad, but it is true. There is no reason to have hard feelings. Hang on to the fond memories, but go on with your life. There is always someone new just around the corner.

Things are ok RIGHT NOW!

This week, I have been reflecting on this paraphrase from my devotional book I read each morning. I says something like "Things are not GOING to be ok, things are ok RIGHT NOW!" The point is not to get so involved in the journey that you don't see the good things that are a part of your daily life.

Today, my daughter goes to her first prom. We had a wonderful time yesterday having mani-pedi's at a new little spa that has opened up here in our town. We made this a before prom and Mother's Day activity combination trip. I was so relaxed that I promptly fell asleep when I got home!

I want to savor today! I want to make memories with my family. Why focus on getting the kids raised and graduated only to miss out on the good stuff that is around me? We will have our day and have memories to share.

Things are ok RIGHT NOW! Don't forget to stop along the journey and savor the moment!

Its been awhile...

I haven't written in awhile, so I thought I would sit down and catch up. Here lately, it seems as though I don't stop. OR, I keep going until I am so exhausted all I do is stop...I call those crash and burn days. February is such a busy month for me that I tend to do that a lot!

So, what has been going on? My darling daughter got a role in the Rogers and Hammerstein's Cinderella that her home high school is doing this semester. Rehearsals and getting back and forth is keeping me hopping! She got her drivers license yesterday, so this will help a bit, but she and I are still sharing a car. Not sure how much this is going to change things in the running her back and forth department.

My son is doing his student teaching this semester, so he has his sister's car. Seems the last semester is the most expensive. Every time I turn around there is more money to be spent on senior fees, Praxis exams etc... Aaargh!

I gave myself two physical challenges. One in January and one this month. Last month, I started with one little push up and added one each day until the end of the month. I have kept up with three sets of 10 every workout since. This month, I have started with one lunge (both legs) and am adding one each day until I get to 28. My ankles and legs are really weak, so I am definitely feeling this!

My kitchen is coming along great! On each rainy and/or snowy weekends, I have been painting a set of cabinets. They look great.  I am very proud of them. When I am finished with all of them, I will buy new hard ware and then start on the back splash! In the meantime, my poor oven is dying a slow and laborious death. I am going in search of a new one soon. Hopefully, I can find a new refrigerator that I can afford as well. I would like to put the old one in the garage to store beverages and extras. We will see.

So, that is it...that is what has been going on around here as of late.

LL&P
Jeanie

Reflections

Lately, I have been reading a book of reflections and devotions each morning. Today's was something that made me think and reflect over much of the day. Today's piece was about not going through an open door because we are desperate - to only go through the open doors that are right for us.

I got to thinking about my last job. Did I take it because I was desperate? No. But, I did stay TOO long. I should have left way before I did, but I just didn't have the confidence to move. Was it the job that sapped my confidence or was it just me? It was definitely the job. I was at a low performing school that just sapped the strength and creativity of even the very best of all teachers. I was convinced that every school in my adopted state had to be just as bad. In fact, I rationalized that it was better to be with the "Devil you know than the Devil you don't know..." What a crock!

I finally left when I just couldn't stand it anymore. I am so glad that I did! I now teach at a magnet school with hand picked students and a small faculty that pretty much thinks the same way that I do.Wow, who would have thought that there were more of us out there! And guess what? Not every school in this state is like that last one! In fact, I have noticed that people who are considered the very best in their field started at that school early in their careers.

I am so glad that I walked through the door that was opened to me at my new school. I am so glad that I recognized a great opportunity when I saw it. I am tired here at the end of the year, but I am grateful to have landed where I did.

Sunday's New Recipe

I have to admit it...I am totally addicted to Pinterest. I just love looking at the pictures and seeing all the wonderful ideas that people have. I love looking at the craft pictures and I especially love looking at the recipes!

I always try to make a new recipe on Sundays. I have more time to cook on Sunday and more time to run to the store for that always needed strange ingredient. Today we tried a new recipe called Cafe Rio Chicken. It is a crock pot recipe that was easy peasy! I didn't even have to go to the store because the ingredients are all things that I have on hand.

School is out for me at the end of the week. (If you don't count that one day I have to go next week.) During the summer I love trying new recipes and figuring out which ones will be easy to cook over the course of the next school year. Cafe Rio Chicken is already on the list!

Please go to the web page and give this one a try...you will be glad that you did.

Cafe Rio Chicken Recipe

Good end to a really rough week

I had a really rough week this week. I have had to deal with work issues, family issues, and just plain being p busy. Today's painting project just about made up for it. 

My husband and I painted my kitchen counter tops. We have been putting it off for awhile, so last week, I just put this little chore on our calendar. I am amazed at how nice they look! I used the Rustoleum counter paint along with some acrylic to create a stone like finish. Now, the counters must cure for 3 days. That is going to be the hard part! I can't imagine NOT using the counter tops in my kitchen for 3 whole days! 

We are not sure what we want to do with the back splash, so we left it alone for now. I am thinking that I will use something copper there. The cabinets will be off white, but we won't get to that until school is out. They have been cleaned out and reorganized, so they are ready to go! 

It's amazing how accomplishing this little task helped to take my mind off of all that ailed me this week. It just doesn't seem important now. The next time I am feeling down in the dumps I am going to pick up a paint brush and get to work!

21st century calendar

Every where we educators go , we hear the new buzzword, "21st century skills" or "21st century learner". However, we are tied to a 19th century calendar. I have been pondering this lately and have come to the belief that we really can't be 21st century schools until we revamp the calendar.

Here are some ways I feel we can over haul our calendar to gear ourselves up for the 21st century. Of course, we should already be geared up because we have entered the second decade...

First, we need to change our school hours to reflect the working day of most parents. Should this be 9 - 5 or 8:30 - 4:30? I am not sure because every community is different. Many students spend at least 2 hours unsupervised at home each day. Doesn't it make sense to have students get home from school about the same time as their parents. This is such a simple solution to the big problem of juvenile deliquency, that it probably won't ever get done.

Why? It makes too much sense.  Of course, the biggest argument you hear against  is that athletic practices would be too late into the evening. Take a look at the percentage of students who are athletes in your school - should we really have such a small percentage of people dictating our the course of our school day? 

After doing a little research and reflection, I also believe that students should go to school Monday - Thursday  leaving Fridays open for teacher planning days. Many teachers attend worthwhile conferences but, must miss class to do so. Having a fifth day each week would allow teachers to create lessons, collaborate with their peers, attend conferences and meet with parents. During these tough economic times, a few northern school systems have tried this with great success. They are finding that test scores are soaring! Again, another so simple solution, that it probably won't get done

. 

Finally, we need to recreate our calendar. Why are students off all summer? Parents must scramble to find summer day care sometimes at enormous expense. Students should have short breaks between each grading period and longer breaks between semesters. For example, a week off between each nine weeks grading period and then 2 - 3 weeks for Christmas and 3 - 4 weeks in the middle of summer. Think of this as what my English teacher used to call the "let it jell" period. Kids need time for their brains to process all the new information they are collecting.

Will any of this ever get done? I doubt it. But, at least we can ponder the possibilities.

Genealogy and family history

So, I have really gotten hooked on Genealogy. I have found out so much! For a history teacher, this is like manna from heaven!

I joined Ancestry.com after receiving a free trial at a workshop. I splurged after it was over for the world membership. I have traced my family back to Scotland and have found that my ancestors came over in the late 17th century as part of the head right system. My sixth great grandfather has even had a book written about him. How cool is that?

What makes this unique for me is that my mom was not raised with her biological family for whatever reason. (She doesn't talk about it and her brothers and sisters all tell me different stories.) So, I knew absolutely NOTHING about my biological family on that side. With the help of my  mom's sister-in-law, I have been piecing together the puzzle.

I have found that I had an ancestor who fought in the Revolutionary War in Virginia (hello to the DAR!) and an ancestor who was a Confederate Soldier in the Civil War. (He actually fought where I grew up - how freaky is that?) I also found that my grandfather was in the US Navy during WWI. Pretty cool, huh? I must say it is very settling to find my connections after all of these years.

I am working on my dad's side of the family, but, they are from Kentucky and a little more difficult to learn about. Apparently, Virginia kept really good records of people's coming and goings. Kentucky, not so much.

I found a new magazine called Family Tree Magazine that had a great article about finding your Appalachian roots. This has been very helpful. Their article about familysearch.org was helpful as well. This has become a great new hobby for me. Have you tried finding your family history? Let me know if you have!

Its been a lovely cruise!

WOW! Is the only way I can describe our first cruise. I have to say that I can't imagine a more perfect setting for our 25th anniversary trip. We were catered to, pampered, and fed. I think I have had the perfect vacation!

We flew out of Charlotte, NC to Miami which is a short flight - just under two hours. We had purchased transfers on and off the ship so, that was no problem. We just found the lady with the Carnival sign and showed her our receipt. The bus took us straight to the port. The only problems on that day were the very long lines. Waiting to board the ship in the hot Florida sun was not pleasant. I remember thinking that if the entire cruise was going to be like this I was ready to go home! (I had heard from friends that the ONLY bad part of a cruise was the lines.) However, many veteran cruisers waiting with us assured us that this was not normal! We did find out later that there had been a medical emergency on the ship the night before which made her late for port - so, they weren't quite as ready for us as they should be.

The second day was Key West. Rande and I took the pub crawl late in the morning. We had a great time. I have to admit that I don't remember much after the second pub. But the island is beautiful! I must say that I would like to go back there when I have more time and less alcohol! I would also like to see more of the island earlier in the year. I am thinking March maybe?

Our next stop was Grand Kayman. We elected to do a kayaking tour of the island which was a lot of fun. We had two person sea kayaks which turn out to be very stable. We learned a lot about the mangrove swamps and some of the creatures in the area. We even got to touch a type of jelly fish! AND, believe it or not, I did a bit of snorkeling!

Lastly, we stopped in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. After the busy day before, we decided just to chill out at Margaritaville on the beach. After running the gauntlet of Jamaicans who want to sell you everything from weed to a ride three blocks away, we made it to Margaritaville. The beach was really beautiful and the pool bar was a hit! Rande says I can have a pool now - if it is just like that one!

Of course, all good things must come to an end. So, we are now back to life and back to reality....The question is....who is going to leave me a folded towel animal every night and a chocolate on my pillow! 

Latest Project

I have been reading a following the MODGE PODGE ROCKS!blog all summer and have been inspired. Last week, I made a remote caddy for our basement from an old sticky note holder that I found and a world map.

This is only my second modge podge project but, I think it looks pretty good. It took me awhile to get the air bubbles out but, after I did, it turned out like I wanted it to. I used a two sided map on a clear container so, the map show through with a different design on the inside of the container. I liked that effect. 

Evernote

I tried Evernote this week and have decided it is the best new app out there. If you haven't seen it...it's worth a look.

This app is free and can be downloaded onto your computer and your droid phone. Then, you can sync up notes and/or pictures. I am sure this app does other things as well, but, so far, these two features are the ones I have used the most. The best part? If you don't have access to your computer, you can access your Evernote online! Wow, a to do list that I can have at home, school, or where ever!

I have been playing around with using Evernote to take pictures in my phone. This is great because they are already on my computer when I get there. Then, I just opened them up in paint to save the image as the file type I needed.

In the meantime, the notes feature has allowed me to make to do lists for my vacation. I can open up the app on my phone and see those lists anywhere. I can edit the list as I complete the tasks. The notes feature is similar to any basic word processing program so, I am sure that you would find many other uses not, just to do lists. For me? I can't get things done without a list - so this is a life saver for me.

If you don't try anything else this summer, try Evernote. You won't be sorry! 

If it's Wednesday it must be Grand Caymen!

We go on our first cruise in two days! I am so excited! I can hardly stand it!

I have been checking things off the to do list all week. I took my daughter to WV to stay with family while we are gone, finished the laundry, called the banks and credit card companies, printed all the documents, stopped the mail, and made packing list. I just need to pick up some sea bands for my husband, pick up newspapers and pack my suitcase!

Twenty-five years ago we went to Nashville for our honeymoon. We couldn't afford much. We did do a dinner cruise on the General Jackson, visited Opryland, and the Grand Old Opry. To me, a vacation just isn't a vacation unless there is an ocean involved. But, over the years, I guess I have learned to appreciate visiting lots of different places. Back then though, I would have rather been some place a little more romantic. So, we promised ourselves a cruise on our twenty fifth anniversary.

Here we are...our twenty fifth is next week and we are keeping our promise. I paid on this trip for an entire year and have been saving my pennies so that we can splurge a little while we are gone. Way more romantic don't you think?

If you have any tips or tricks you would like to share with us - the cruising novices, please share!

Week 3.

Finally! I found some lithium batteries for my camera! Any other batteries just don't last long enough. I end up spending way more in the long run. I won't get back to working on my kitchen again until Thursday but, that's quite alright. I did get the curtains up and the shade back up. Rachael repaired the shade so that it works better now than it ever did!

                                                   As you can see, I am not done yet!

                                              New curtains over the planter window.

                  Cooking area. After I finish all the walls, the cabinets are going to get painted!

Also this week, we finally were able to get over to the college and pick up a copy of the LRYC spring concert CD. They are fabulous! I am so thrilled that my daughter is a part of this group. Check them out on YouTube!

I hope to work more on my kitchen tonight and this weekend! I'll keep you updated on the progress!

Cool Cat Teacher

One of the people in my PLN, Cool Cat Teacher posted this on her blog. I think she hit the nail on the head here.

One of the most important jobs of a teacher during any break is to heal. Working with people is a struggle any day. But to consistently work with people every day with the single minded purpose to help them grow and improve is a calling of great proportions that withdraws energy of great proportion.

When I am blessed with a “break,” I know that I must take “a break” lest I break under the strain. Truly, a tree without water will die and a flower without water parched by the sun will also wilt and die. So to, if I neglect the nourishment of my heart and soul, I will wilt under the pressure of being a teacher.

Teaching is a great calling, a noble calling, and towards this aim I shall ever give my life and soul so that when the last drop of my life is poured out, I shall know it was a life well spent.

Vicki Davis, Cool Cat Teacher

2nd week of summer - kitchen obsessed?

So, what's going on this week?

My daughter was still in school this week so, I got another week to myself. Monday, I started on the back wall of the main floor of our house. It goes across the entire width of the house which includes the living room and kitchen. I got it primed and cut in before going to get Rachael from school. After dinner, I thought that I would finish the first coat but, alas, my carpal tunnel kicked in so, I didn't get it finished. I just couldn't hold the roller any longer!

On Tuesday,  I got the first coat finished after I took my daughter to school. Then that afternoon, I was able to do some touch up painting. The kitchen walls are going to be rather dark when it is all finished but, the cabinets will be light so, it should balance out quite nicely.

Wednesday, was errand running day. I left early in the morning and didn't return until around 4. The best part of that day was "pub night" with my husband. However, I did get lots of things accomplished and I am sure I helped the North Carolina economy!

Thursday, I put the kitchen back together as best I could and decoupaged my switch plates. Nothing exciting on that day I can assure you. Except, I am pretty excited about how the switch plates turned out! Not bad for a first try. I will probably Modge Podge a bunch of other stuff this summer! That stuff is cool to work with!

Friday, I put up my new curtains and cleaned up the little messes I had made in the kitchen over the past week. Rachael and I found the curtains at Anna's Linens on sale for $4.99 each. I needed three valances so, they were a total of just under $15! what a steal! I am out of batteries or I would post a picture of them as well.

So, this weekend? We are supposed to start cleaning out the garage. I need work space so that I can finish the kitchen. I want to set up tables and drop cloths etc so that I can paint some smaller things that will go in the kitchen as well as the kitchen doors.

Wow, I sound like I am kitchen obsessed don't I?

See ya next week!
J

Beginning of Summer

Ahhh...the summer. A teacher's favorite time of year. Time to rest, relax, and recharge. Really??? Are you kidding me?!?!

In this first week alone I have suffered from a severe sinus infection which landed me at the doctor's office, been to my daughters confirmation ceremony, hosted a tiki bar grand opening party, and finally, been to the speedway to watch the races and hear Rachael sing the national anthem.

Wow! 

Today, I prepped the longest wall in my kitchen that runs along the back end of the house. I hope to get it primed and painted tomorrow. There is kitchen stuff strewn all over the house.  After I had finished taping off the windows and baseboards, I decided to take a break. I sat on my bed and began to flip channels with the remote. I found myself totally immersed in UNC tv's broadcast of "Anne of Green Gables." I didn't get to finish taping off the ceiling until after supper. Oh well, I guess that is the good part of summer....there is always tomorrow! 

MR REPRESENTATIVE: A CHILD IS WORTH A CENT

This Tuesday, our county PTA/PTO organizations are holding a rally to convince our state legislators that we want to KEEP the one cent sales tax that is keeping education running at the moment. This is NOT a new tax but, an emergency measure that was added two years ago that expires in July. Without this sales tax, major cuts to education will occur. We have been paying this extra penny for two years now and quite frankly, we are accustomed to it. If you look at any economic reports, the most conservative economists say that the economy will not turn around until at least 2015. So, the extra penny tax should be renewed through July 1 of 2016. That should be long enough to get us through this economic down turn.

Now, let me explain to you about our representative. First of all, he is a republican who, for the most part, tends to run unopposed and has be "re-elected" several times. He comes from a relatively wealthy family and has never really had to work. However, he says he understands the working people of our district. From what I have seen lately, he is voting party lines and NOT for what is best for Caldwell County. 

I have contacted my state representative many times. He assures me that he will NOT vote for the new tax because the people of our county don't want it. So, we are reduced to holding a rally to prove to him that this isn't true.

Oh yes, I will be at the rally. I will speak my mind and hope that this stubborn man gets it. However, I don't think he will. We MUST remind our representative that he does have to answer to US. He works for US! Mr. Representative: A child is worth a cent!

LRYC tour and Mother's Day weekend in Charlie South

My daughter's youth choir did a tour in South Carolina this weekend. I have always wanted to go to Charleston and haven't ever made it there. So, my husband and I came down here as well. I have had a really nice mother's day weekend.

All my life I have wanted to see Fort Sumter. I never got to go. Well, yesterday, we went out on the first tour boat. I was not disappointed. What an awesome place. I can understand now why it was so important to our coastal defenses and why the Confederates needed it so badly. I never really understood why there were so few men stationed there at the beginning of the Civil War, but I learned that the fort was only about 90% finished at the time. So, I guess that makes sense.  In fact, no men were garrisoned there, but the commander, Major Anderson,  moved his men there from another island fort after the succession of South Carolina.

Downtown is really nice and we have had some great food and drink while we have been here. I think my favorite was the little restaurant down the street from the place we are staying. It is called California dreaming. We sat outside and ate while we watched the boats on the river.

I totally enjoyed listening to the choir last night. They are just wonderful. It was nice to see the reaction of people who are not friends and family of the kids. You could tell by the faces that they were just amazed. Makes a mother feel proud...

Today we went downtown to do a little shopping. It's Mother's Day but, seems that my husband got all of the presents! I bought a cute little sign for the breakfast bistro and some pralines! (Can't go home without the pralines!)We also went to the park and watched the little children wade in the fountain. I enjoyed watching the little ones. There was one little blonde boy there who reminded me of my son when he was little. Boy, time really does go by fast, doesn't it?

Now, for all of the mothers out there, here is a video of my favorite of all the LRYC songs....Happy Mother's Day to all!

The Spring of Home Improvement - Spring Break Edition

According to local news, today is going to start off gray but turn into a sunny warm day. I am looking forward to going outside and doing a little container gardening. All those magazines and blogs say to take your container to the local nursery and ask for help.

Yesterday, I did just that. I took one of my three containers to the local garden center. The ladies there were so helpful. They helped me design and create what I am sure will be some great looking planters. I would never have been able to design them myself. I brought the plants home and put them on the front porch to spend the night. I wanted to be able to get started without having to run off to the nursery first.

So, after playing in the dirt and water on the porch...here is what I ended up with....

Now, all we have to do is hope that they survive my brown thumb!