FCCLA Week

Freakin' FCCLA... (that was for you Hannah)  This past week was FCCLA Week.  While I do not detest FCCLA like I did last year, it is still not my number one club.  At least I get paid to do it this year and boy did I earn my extra $2,000 this week!  Let me break down this week for y'all.. I'll try to keep the complaining to a minimum.  Please keep in mind that Wed-Sat, I had been at a FACS conference and literally worked on STAR Events every spare minute I had.  I'm just a little overloaded...

After our conferece wrapped up on Saturday, Mama and I went back to Bremen.  Sunday was really my only day to prep for the crazy week ahead as well as get some STAR events stuff done!    Sunday morning my lovely assistant, Daddy, and I donned our denim aprons (a gift from GATFACS...wtheck?!) and got to work making 120 cupcakes for Member Appreciation Day on Monday.  After we baked to our hearts delight, we went for a little run.  When we came back we stopped by Memommy's and D'Daddy's to go root through the barn.  I have a very distinct idea for our Chapter Service Display project for STAR Events and I needed some wood to make the display.  We found this great old door and a pair of louvered doors which we cut down to regulation size.  My dad worked hard to clean them up and he put the hinges back on them.  Look at all his hard work!  He got done just in time for the Super Bowl.  During the Super Bowl, Mama and I worked on cutting fabric for my 4th period class.  We started a new service project this week which I am super excited about!  They are making a quilt that will look like this...  It is going to be donated to a silent auction just like we did with the quilt that my kids made while I was student teaching.  I'm just a little bit hoping that Mama and Daddy might bid on it again, so I can have something to remember my kiddos by!

By the time we got done cutting out fabric, Xtina had butchered the National Anthem, the Black Eyed Peas had thrown down, the Pack had taken care of the terrible person that is Ben Rothelsberger, and it was far too late and I was far too tired to drive back to Athens. 

Monday I woke up bright and early (4 AM!!) to drive back to Athens, unload Dooley, hit Starbucks, and get to work.  Monday was Member Appreciation Day, so I utilized all of my Christmas presents and loaded up my cupcake displays!  They were a hit..especially my homemade vanilla butter cream frosting! 

Monday was also the day that the plague started to hit. Okay, I'm exagerating.. My throat started to hurt a little, but I blamed exhaustion and boy was I exhausted. I went home and CRASHED!

Tuesday was Hat Day for a $1 to raise money for CMN. It was a big success! We raised over $100!! I was extremely happy! Tuesday after school was the workshop for my students to do their lessons for the Focus on Children and Illustrated Talk projects for STAR Events. My girls developed a lesson to teach the kiddos about germs and the importance of washing their hands! They did SO GOOD! I was so proud of them!
 

After that wrapped up, I headed to Atlanta to meet up with Don for FCCLA Day at the Hawks. Neither of us had ever been to a Hawks game before, and, even though we lost terribly, it was a good time! It was great getting to catch up with him and hear all about his new big boy job!

Wednesday was "Wear Red and White Day" aka.. Ms Beltz is taking a break day.. Unfortunately this is the day that the plague took hold.  It hit me and Megan.. I was convinced it was strep.. I was dying..

Thursday was FCCLA Day at the Capitol.  We were a little uncertain if we were going to get to go or not.  It was supposed to snow that day and while the predicted temperatures made me think that it wouldn't be a big deal.. I was still a little concerned.  That morning I woke up to find that it had snowed, but all the roads were fine so we were going to Atlanta!  After some confusion about transportation (the county vehicle we were supposed to be taking was missing a seat.. A WHOLE SEAT!) and I got my coffee, we were on our way.  Our first stop of the day was the Capitol.  My kids got their picture taken on the stairs with Nathan Deal, went up to the 4th floor and did their scavenger hunts, got to sit in the Senate gallery, and then they got to go on the Senate floor and get their picture taken in the well!  Then we went over to the Coverdell Building and met with Mr. Bill.  Mr. Bill is my friend Sandy's dad who just so happens to be a Senator.  I feel that this is very convienient because well.. I couldn't even tell you who the Reps or Senators from Athens or Madison County are.  I'm still registered to vote in Bremen!  Mr. Bill did tell the kids who their Senator was and we popped over to his office while we were in the building! 

After we got done at the Capitol we headed over to Hard Rock where I had my favorite meal ever and we all got changed into our comfies!  After that we were off to the World of Coke!  So much fun!  I'm so glad I got to experience the new one with my middle schoolers!  I really got to appreicate it from the kids level!  They thoroughly appreicated the history of coke as well as the 4D movie and the tasting lab!  I had such a good group of girls!  They helped me forget how sick I really was, but it all hit me again on our way back to the school. 

When we got back I went and wrote up sub plans for the next day and called Mrs. Faye.  I would not be there on Friday because a) I was pretty sure I was running a fever, b) My throat was going to need to be removed, and c)I was sick and tired.. So Friday, instead of having a Spaghetti Dinner, I drove back through Atlanta for the 4th time in 5 days and went to the doctor.  The good news?  No strep.  The bad news... Its a sinus infection.. but now I have antibiotics and 2 days to rest and recoup!  Our FCCLA Dinner and a Movie Night was rescheduled for Monday so hopefully I will be over the crud in time to make a lovely Valentine's Day meal for myself and 30 of my favorite 11-14 year olds.. (What happened to my New Year goals?!) 

Today has been lovely.  I slept in and then I have sat on the couch all day and watched movies.. I think the TV powers that be knew I was sick and wanted to watch movies so they put only the good romantic comedies on.. Not the ones that make single people to jump off buildings, but the ones that actually make fun of themselves a little bit.. I appreciate that since I didn't really have the energy to make fun of them for them.  The best part of today?  I haven't done a lick of work or anything FCCLA related.  Its been amazing!  Sadly I know that I have to write a speech tomorrow, but I'll take it.. I just needed a day off.. Now off to Memommy and D'daddy's for Saturday Night Dinner! 

Sorry Y'all

Well.. Basketball season ends and I'm struggling to find time to blog.  Please forgive me.. I'm a busy girl.

Last week was the GATFACS conference.  What a different a year makes!?  At that conference last year Hannah and I were commiserating about how much she hated her job and how much I was drowning.  This year Hannah was not there and I felt like I actually knew what people we talking about.  Looks like we both fixed our problems! Mama and I had a really good time!  Thursday night we met up with Mrs. Kathy for dinner and got to catch up with her.  On Friday, we met up with my childhood friend Tinsley and her husband.  Tinsley and I grew up down the street from each in Marietta.  Her mama had a daycare so that was where I stayed when I was little.  When we moved to Bremen, Tinsley and I stayed in touch by taking turns visiting each other.  I can honestly say that Tinsley was my first best friend.  Our visits stopped in middle school.. We both got really busy and just grew apart, but thanks the Facebook we reconnected!  This was the first time we had seen each other since we were about 12 so it could have been awkward, but it wasn't!  At all!  She is a stay at home mommy now (and yea.. I'm jealous much!) to a precious little 2 year old!  She has overcome so much and its my sincerest prayer that she has an easier ride from here on out.

More about this weekend and my ridiculously busy week once I have had a chance to sleep... I. Need. Sleep.

Pictures of the Day

This made me giggle..

What the hell?!  Who does this?!

My kids keep asking me for donations to find a cure for squirrel aids.  I tell them they are bizarre, but for real... I'm concerned..  I'm also concerned with the fact that in two days, I have sold about $300 worth of Oreo Balls.  Thats 600 actual Oreo balls!!  No wonder obesity is a problem.. and I'm contributing...one Oreo ball at a time.

You know what makes me happy?  

PUPPIES!!!

That is all..

Shine

I'm obsessed with this blog.  

I can't even remember how I stumbled across it, but I'm obsessed!  This sounds amazingly stalkerish but I pretty much want to be this woman!  She has a beautifully designed house, 4 gorgeous children, a supportive husband, great faith, and a successful small business.  She gets to stay home with the kids, she does int. design as a hobby, she has great taste design wise as well as in clothes.  Such an inspiration!

I will say that her blog has probably inspired my new tendency towards neutrals. She has also inspired lots of different projects from my Christmas presents this year to the ornaments my club made at our party.  Everything she does looks so classy and put together but is ridiculously inexpensive to put together!

Amongst the posts about her new projects and new designs she sometimes posts amazingly inspirational thoughts on scripture.  Today's post was about one of my all time favorite pieces of scripture.

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.   Matthew 5.16 (NIV)

If you were in Y-Club during my year as Chaplain you heard devotion after devotion about this scripture.  Its my favorite.

I've never been one that likes to talk about my faith.  Growing up in youth group, I always felt like there was this big push to get out there and talk about Jesus and save people and frankly.. I just wasn't comfortable doing that.  Not in a you just need to get out of your comfort-zone kind of not comfortable mind you, it was a crippling, panic attack inducing, freaking out kind of uncomfortable.  It's not my thing.   

When I read this scripture I feel like, despite my inability to go out there and convert the non-believers (please read that last bit with as much sarcasm as you possess), I can still be an example of God's love through my deeds.  I think that is when I started developing a heart for service.  That is also when I started my daily prayer that I will behave in a way that others may see Christ through me.  I have since added that God grant me the patience to interact with my little middle school babies so that I am a good example of God's love for them.

Today's post, while about my favorite scripture, made me think about it differently.  She referenced a version of the passage that I have never heard, but that I LOVE.  Its from the Message.

Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

How inspirational!!  She also made this print.. I might just have to buy this one to help me remember to be generous with my life!!

Here it is in her office.

Remember to shine!

Gedanken #2

Another middle school basketball game, another random post...

#1  I have a confession.  I HATE coaching basketball cheerleading.  Now, everyone probably knows it by now, but just in case you weren't sure.. I really hate it.  Its not the girls--I love them.  Its not the basketball players--I like them.  Its not the actual cheering part--They don't suck too bad.  Its the time.  It sucks up SO MUCH time. I keep telling myself I just have to make it through the season.  I know that I can do it, but I mean.. I'm equating it with Girl Scout camp on the hatred scale.  For those that don't know about the girl scout camp experience, it is also about at the same level as Dan Rad.  I would make a chart for you but I don't have Word, yet.    Oh well.  I was hoping that we would be able to get out of cheering the tournament which would make today our last game.. Alas, my head was nearly bitten off for suggesting such an atrocity.. Imagine, cheerleaders not wasting their time when the team could really care less. So anyway, we are cheering Saturday.  It will literally be a 12 hour day for me on Saturday.  I'm not paid enough for this shit.  I miss my puppy!


the stinker.


Another reason I'm hating having to spend my time on cheerleading is because I'm a month late starting on FCCLA projects.  Our region competition is March 12.  We haven't even STARTED.. I'm feeling the pressure. Freaking FCCLA.

I know.. I asked to be a cheerleading coach.. I wanted to do it sooo bad, but as my mother reminds me life is all about having experiences and learning from those experiences.  As Ms. Frizzle would say... "Take Chances, Make Mistakes, Get Messy".  I have learned from this experience that I don't want to coach.  Yes, I love cheerleading, but I think that it is best left in the past.  Perhaps at another point in my life I might want to try coaching football or competitive cheerleading, but at the the moment the outlook isn't good.  Bless the girls hearts, they keep asking about next year.  Since I'm not telling anyone what I'm doing next year until all the details are worked out (the big announcement will be sometime in Feb), I just smile.  I'm crap at keeping this big of a secret!  Its killing me.. I know I'm going to crack at some point.

#2  I guess I could have written about this Sunday, but I was too busy introducing y'all to Bennet and showing you me crafty work.  I ran 4 miles on Sunday.. FOUR MILES!  without stopping.  or dying.  I'm most proud of that second one.  This summer I couldn't run 1 mile without stopping, let alone without dying.  Best of all was my time.  39 min!!  That is under 10 min per mile!! Barely, but it is..

#3   Saturday when I was running guess what came on ABC Family.. You'll never guess it so just give up..

Boy.  Meets. World!!!!!!!!!

Its the little things in life that make me happy!

#4  I L. O. V. E. this outfit...  but will never own it..

Anthropologie  $600

I loved the print on the skirt part and was hunting all around the website for the skirt, BUT guess what... Its a dress!  Its a strapless dress that they just put the lace pullover over.  How smart!!  and so cute!

Crafty Sunday

So there is this little boy that I will be watching next year.  I'll tell y'all more about that next month once I know more details, but this is the kiddo..

Introducing Bennet...

My kind of kid, right?

Anyway, I got a hankerin' to be crafty today so I decided to make him a little onesy.  I got the idea here.  Here is the final result...

The lighting is bad, but the onesy is light gray.  The letters are red and white seersucker and the stitching is black embroidery thread.  I used fusible web to adhere it to the onesy and then I stitched around each letter.  Hopefully it doesn't fray too much!  


Next on my list is finishing the basket for the FCCLA silent auction.  I'll let y'all know how that turns out!

Gedanken

Oh middle school basketball... Without it, when would I blog? I will say that I'm glad I have found an enjoyable way to pass the time, because honestly it might be the most boring thing I've ever had to sit through.. But I digress.. Here is what I'm thinking about this lovely Saturday I get to spend sitting in my spot (which I'm surprised hasn't developed an impression of my butt yet) on the bleachers that are made of the hardest plastic known to man.

#1 Middle schoolers don't know how to think. I don't know if it is a maturity issue or just a generational difference, but I'm pretty sure that even when I was in middle school I had problem solving skills. Its like their brains shut down when faced with a problem. They are so used to having something to reference (computer, phone) that they have to ask someone how to solve the simplest of questions.  We are doing them a disservice to just answer them.

#2 I'm looking for some new stud earrings.. I know what I want but I haven't seen them anywhere.
I have found a drawer pull that looks like the earrings that I want.. Just reasonably smaller.. I don't think I want drawer pulls hanging from my ears..

This is the drawer pull.  Obvio I want them a bit smaller.

#3 I also need black boots. I just got a new pair of cowboy boots (RIP other ones.. wherever you are). They are dark brown and I was hoping that I could get away with wearing them with black. Alas, I can't. I look horribly fashion challenged and color blind to boot (pun very much intended). However, I'm picky about boots. They need to be flats because anything with a heel will quickly find a home in the back of my closet. Height is another issue. It needs to be taller than an ankle boot so it doesn't look stupid when I tuck in jeans, but it can't go above mid-calf because of my massive calves. Its a challenge..

These are kind of what I'm looking for and the price is right, but they are a bit too tall.  

I love these!  I mean, they aren't professional, but they sure do look comfy!  However, the price is wrong Bob.

#4 I never thought these words would come out of my mouth (or well, fingers) BUT.. I want jeggings. Or at least a dark wash pair of skinny jeans.. My current obsession with light gray tops paired with the fact that the only pair of skinny jeans I own are a super light wash and are also distressed (making them uber unprofessional) really makes this a need, not a want. I tried on a few pairs at Target but none of them spoke to me.. Well they did speak but they didn't say what I wanted them to say.. I'm thinking I need to run for a few more centuries before I can pull off jeggings. I'm thinking that better quality denim might be the trick, because I really like the skinny jeans I have now (bought at LOFT for.. get ready.. $13), but I just can't bring myself to drop bank on the ones I want.

Banana Republic $90

Gap $70

#5 I don't feel like I can afford to get numbers 2-4 because I really NEED Rosetta Stone. I'll tell y'all why next month, but needless to say that it is becoming more and more of a certain need. Do you know how expensive it is!? All 5 levels are like $750 which is definitely the best deal, but I know know if that is over kill. Is it really as good as the reviews? I would love to hear from any of y'all that have actually tried it! I'm also toying with the idea of just doing the online access thing instead of getting the software.. Its a lot cheaper, but then mama and daddy couldn't use it too. I also don't know if it teaches all the same stuff. Feedback is much welcomed!

#6 Deja vu is the weirdest thing ever. I had never experienced it before this year. I had heard people talking about it, but I just didn't buy that it actually happened. It happens all the time now, and its so weird. It usually happens at school so i think that it happens because everything is such a routine. The same thing happens every 9 weeks so I guess the same situations are bound to present themselves, but it is still weird.

#7 I love babies! Which is a good thing considering that at some point I want lots of them. One of my favorites of my cheerleaders has a sister that is MUCH older than her. This sister recently (like in August) had a baby and she brought it to the game today, so I got to hold her and play! I think that it is sad that that is my favorite part about coaching.. getting to play with little brothers and sisters and nieces and nephews.