Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Monday, May 31, 2010
Almost All The Truth
A great blog for green living, awesome product giveaways and more!
There is a button in the lower left margin of this blog or you can click the button in this post!
Seriously, go read. It's great!
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
KCFreePress.com
KCFreePress.com is one of my favorite sites for reading about local news, events and businesses.
Right now they are having a contest and the grand prize is an iPad--so, of course, I have to try to win that!
Right now they are having a contest and the grand prize is an iPad--so, of course, I have to try to win that!
Monday, March 8, 2010
Jamie Oliver is Awesome!
Jamie Oliver is on a mission to make school lunches healthier! I am 100% on board with supporting his cause. If you are too, sign the petition.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Nature's Purpose
Nature fleeting and changing yet always
Comes and goes as winds wind slower faster
Ushering the unique new crisp nights and days
Showing our happily ever after
Comes and goes as winds wind slower faster
Ushering the unique new crisp nights and days
Showing our happily ever after
Saturday, January 23, 2010
More A-isms
July 2009, Age 4
*Alyson's favorite word of the day: Onceamadoodle.
*Aly on dinner tonight: "Momma, this is your victory."
*Bonus C-ism (age 8): Collin was just trying to say rocket ship and his mouth-brain connection got scrambled and he said "rocket $hit" his eyes bugged out he thought he was going to be in huge trouble.
*Bonus C-ism (age 8):Collin told me today at tennis he was pretty sure my racket had a hole in it.
*"Smmet spells full. That's me, Fullie" Alyson said after cleaning her plate tonight.
*Aly busted into the bathroom with a Hannah Montana wig on shouting, "Hannah Montana is in da house."
August 2009: Age 4
*All Kids: Kids are cracking me up! Sebastian: Hey Collin, You've got Mrs. ___, right? Collin: Ya, why? Sebastian: Dude, don't get on her back. She's strict. She's a good teacher, don't get me wrong but she's strict. Madison: I went into her classroom once, she's fine. Collin: Well, strict is okay because someone needs to keep m...e on task. Alyson: *singing* I got Miss ___ la la lee lee
*Aly's first words to me after school today: "Oh Mom, I had the best Kindergarten day ever!"
September 2009, Age 5
* Alyson walked up to me in the kitchen and said, "We are the champions my friends, right momma?"
*Upon finding a sesame seed on her bun, Alyson said she wanted to plant it and grow hamburgers.
November 2009, Age 5
*To quote Alyson, "Now that I have cleaned up the living room, everyone will appreciate me. Because basically I cleaned the entire thing All. By. Myself!"
*Alyson has learned what googol means so of course, everything is measured by it now. "I want a googol of ice cream!"
*Aly's argument to convince me to let her pierce her ears, "It's not like I'll get my lip pierced."
*Alyson on closing one eye but not the other? "It's not winking, it's magic!"
*Alyson to Collin: How can you be my brother if you don't like roast?
*Alyson: Something is wrong with my eye. When I blink it goes blank.
*On moving the refrigerator: Collin, "Maybe you should get a dolly to move it, dad." Alyson, "WHAT kind of dolly can move a refrigerator?"
*Thanksgiving thoughts from Aly: Her memories are locked up safely in her brain cage. Liquor stores sell licorice. And it's only 37 weeks until Christmas.
December 2009 Age 5
*Aly: Taking a bath at grandma's is super fun because she has a rubber ducky and we don't.
*Aly issued Collin a ticket for "breaking the style of her bed."
*Joke Aly told us today: How do you make Lady Gaga mad? Puh-puh-puh-puh-poker face.
*Aly: "This book is off lemons. I don't want anyone else to read it."
*Alyson: My brain lock is where I keep my crazy.
*Two Christmas thoughts from Alyson: "I can't stop smiling." & "I can pull my hair off."
*Aly: "Salad sandwiches are really good."
January 2010, Age 5
*Alyson when playing Mario Olympics: "Peach will now show you how its done...with style...tra-la-la..."
*Aly on opening a little bag of potato chips: "I don't even know how to pop so I never, never do it."
*Bonus M-ism:Madison: "Oh my gosh, Harrison Ford does not look as good now as he did in Star Wars."
*Sebastian to Maddi: "The 28th I'm coming to your school." Maddi to Sebastian: "The 8th I'm coming to your school." Aly to everyone: "The 3rd I'm coming to noone's school."
*Bonus C-ism: We had a reading event at the kids' school. Jeff took Aly to her K group and I took Collin to his group. The lady asked the kids, "What are you reading?" Collin puts his hand up and says, "Stephen King!" EVERY adult in the room gasped and all eyes were on me as I meekly explained, "He wrote a story for a younger kids."
*Alyson's favorite word of the day: Onceamadoodle.
*Aly on dinner tonight: "Momma, this is your victory."
*Bonus C-ism (age 8): Collin was just trying to say rocket ship and his mouth-brain connection got scrambled and he said "rocket $hit" his eyes bugged out he thought he was going to be in huge trouble.
*Bonus C-ism (age 8):Collin told me today at tennis he was pretty sure my racket had a hole in it.
*"Smmet spells full. That's me, Fullie" Alyson said after cleaning her plate tonight.
*Aly busted into the bathroom with a Hannah Montana wig on shouting, "Hannah Montana is in da house."
August 2009: Age 4
*All Kids: Kids are cracking me up! Sebastian: Hey Collin, You've got Mrs. ___, right? Collin: Ya, why? Sebastian: Dude, don't get on her back. She's strict. She's a good teacher, don't get me wrong but she's strict. Madison: I went into her classroom once, she's fine. Collin: Well, strict is okay because someone needs to keep m...e on task. Alyson: *singing* I got Miss ___ la la lee lee
*Aly's first words to me after school today: "Oh Mom, I had the best Kindergarten day ever!"
September 2009, Age 5
* Alyson walked up to me in the kitchen and said, "We are the champions my friends, right momma?"
*Upon finding a sesame seed on her bun, Alyson said she wanted to plant it and grow hamburgers.
November 2009, Age 5
*To quote Alyson, "Now that I have cleaned up the living room, everyone will appreciate me. Because basically I cleaned the entire thing All. By. Myself!"
*Alyson has learned what googol means so of course, everything is measured by it now. "I want a googol of ice cream!"
*Aly's argument to convince me to let her pierce her ears, "It's not like I'll get my lip pierced."
*Alyson on closing one eye but not the other? "It's not winking, it's magic!"
*Alyson to Collin: How can you be my brother if you don't like roast?
*Alyson: Something is wrong with my eye. When I blink it goes blank.
*On moving the refrigerator: Collin, "Maybe you should get a dolly to move it, dad." Alyson, "WHAT kind of dolly can move a refrigerator?"
*Thanksgiving thoughts from Aly: Her memories are locked up safely in her brain cage. Liquor stores sell licorice. And it's only 37 weeks until Christmas.
December 2009 Age 5
*Aly: Taking a bath at grandma's is super fun because she has a rubber ducky and we don't.
*Aly issued Collin a ticket for "breaking the style of her bed."
*Joke Aly told us today: How do you make Lady Gaga mad? Puh-puh-puh-puh-poker face.
*Aly: "This book is off lemons. I don't want anyone else to read it."
*Alyson: My brain lock is where I keep my crazy.
*Two Christmas thoughts from Alyson: "I can't stop smiling." & "I can pull my hair off."
*Aly: "Salad sandwiches are really good."
January 2010, Age 5
*Alyson when playing Mario Olympics: "Peach will now show you how its done...with style...tra-la-la..."
*Aly on opening a little bag of potato chips: "I don't even know how to pop so I never, never do it."
*Bonus M-ism:Madison: "Oh my gosh, Harrison Ford does not look as good now as he did in Star Wars."
*Sebastian to Maddi: "The 28th I'm coming to your school." Maddi to Sebastian: "The 8th I'm coming to your school." Aly to everyone: "The 3rd I'm coming to noone's school."
*Bonus C-ism: We had a reading event at the kids' school. Jeff took Aly to her K group and I took Collin to his group. The lady asked the kids, "What are you reading?" Collin puts his hand up and says, "Stephen King!" EVERY adult in the room gasped and all eyes were on me as I meekly explained, "He wrote a story for a younger kids."
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Haiti Relief Links
There are a number of organizations mobilizing efforts to get emergency aid, both short-term and long-term, to Haiti. And, unfortunately, there are a number of fake sites going up exploiting the situation for their own gain. I thought I would post some reputable organizations just in case someone wants to help.
American Red Cross
CARE
Fonkoze
Heart to Heart International
MercyCorps
Oxfam
UNICEF
United Nations Foundation
Yele Haiti, founded by Wyclef Jean, sponsored by Rock the Vote
World Food Programme
AT&T Text Relief US: Text "HAITI" to 90999 to donate $10 via AT&T to the American Red Cross (Standard messaging rates apply)
Text Relief Canada: Salvation Army text donation of $5: Text "HAITI" to 45678
The State Department has set up a site with information on how to find American citizens in Haiti.
American Red Cross
CARE
Fonkoze
Heart to Heart International
MercyCorps
Oxfam
UNICEF
United Nations Foundation
Yele Haiti, founded by Wyclef Jean, sponsored by Rock the Vote
World Food Programme
AT&T Text Relief US: Text "HAITI" to 90999 to donate $10 via AT&T to the American Red Cross (Standard messaging rates apply)
Text Relief Canada: Salvation Army text donation of $5: Text "HAITI" to 45678
The State Department has set up a site with information on how to find American citizens in Haiti.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
I got to be a guest blogger!
Blogging is an interesting phenomena. Bloggers decide what part of themselves to put 'out there' while keeping other parts completely private and behind the invisible walls of the internet. Yet, there are many blogs with writers sharing what is important to them leaving readers with a look inside the unique worlds of individuals we would otherwise never encounter.
We can read why this guy cries, what's up with Major Bedhead, explore the culinary world through the words of a culinary student and join in as a self-described seeker embarks on a path to self-discovery in Waiting for the Click.
Waiting for the Click in one of those blogs I was thrilled to find. We can relate to it because all of us, in one way or another, look to ourselves trying to fit all of the pieces together as we discover who we are. Leslee, from Waiting for the Click, issued a challenge to her readers. She wanted readers to submit stories that shaped and defined them...a challenge that, originally, I had no intention of accepting. I am not the kind of person who puts herself out there for people to judge, at least not on a personal level. However, my ultimate goal is to write, for a living, and to get there writers need to share parts of themselves they would rather not have people see. True writers make themselves vulnerable as their passion pours out into words that fill blogs, articles, short stories, and novels. So, I accepted Leslee's challenge and wrote.
I wrote a true story I never, never share. Not because it is difficult but because I never wanted it to define me. But as I wrote, I realized it does, indeed, define me. Or, it defines how I view the world and the people in it.
So, this is most certainly the most personal thing I have ever shared on the internet.
Leslee, thank you for giving writers this opportunity to share themselves with you and others. I appreciate you and your blog and I feel lucky I have gotten to know you a little bit over the past few months.
The Eleventh Year
Saturday, January 2, 2010
The Weight of Silence -- Heather Gudenkauf
The Weight of Silence by Heather GudenkaufMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Weight of Silence is a fast-paced, addictive read.
It is the story of two lost little girls and the emotions, fears and devastation that they and their families experience.Heather Gudenkauf eloquently weaves well-developed character stories together into a gripping tale.
View all my reviews >>
Sunday, December 6, 2009
The Glass Castle -- Jeannette Walls
The Glass Castle: A Memoir by Jeannette WallsMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
A well-written, depressing tale of neglect. My heart ached for the Walls children and I found myself angry at their parents and their misguided way of life.
View all my reviews >>
Friday, November 20, 2009
MyList Submission
96.5 is asking listeners to submit playlists. And, because I am a master procrastinator on the stuff that matters--like school, homework, term papers...you know how it goes.
So here's my list. They want ten songs and two alternates:
♫ We Used to be Friends by the Dandy Warhols
♫ Let's Dance to Joy Division by The Wombats
♫ Little Toy Gun by Honeyhoney
♫ Knights of Cydonia by Muse
♫ I am Your Skin by The Bravery
♫ Lithium by Nirvana
♫ How We Operate by Gomez
♫ Head Like a Hole by Nine Inch Nails
♫ Nearly Lost You by Screaming Trees
♫ Are You Gonna Be My Girl by JET
♫ Alt. 1. Doll Parts by Hole
♫ Alt. 2. Letters From the Sky by Civil Twilight
So here's my list. They want ten songs and two alternates:
♫ We Used to be Friends by the Dandy Warhols
♫ Let's Dance to Joy Division by The Wombats
♫ Little Toy Gun by Honeyhoney
♫ Knights of Cydonia by Muse
♫ I am Your Skin by The Bravery
♫ Lithium by Nirvana
♫ How We Operate by Gomez
♫ Head Like a Hole by Nine Inch Nails
♫ Nearly Lost You by Screaming Trees
♫ Are You Gonna Be My Girl by JET
♫ Alt. 1. Doll Parts by Hole
♫ Alt. 2. Letters From the Sky by Civil Twilight
Monday, November 2, 2009
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Lost Symbol -- Dan Brown
The Lost Symbol by Dan BrownMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
Lost Symbol is an action-packed addition to the Robert Langdon adventures. The story moves quickly with properly developed characters and a fully formed plot. The action keeps you turning pages but the story lacks the same inertia found in Dan Brown's previous Robert Langdon adventures.
View all my reviews >>
Friday, October 30, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Parent-Teacher Conference Recap!
Last week were parent-teacher conferences. It was a great evening, everyone got such great reports from their teachers.
S, 8th grade, is doing great! He made the honor roll and is working so hard to keep a top GPA this year. We are thrilled, if you guys knew how long and hard of a road it was get him to this point...it's just an amazing transformation on his part. I think it helps that he has become involved in helping with the team sports as their equipment manager. He didn't want to play football or basketball but he is good friends with the teachers who are coaches and they asked him to help out at practice and the games. It is great for him because he gets to be apart of the team on a behind-the-scenes kind of way. He goes to all the games and since he is keeping his grades so high I signed a permission form for him to leave the last hour to go to the away games. He loves it.
M, 5th grade, is still reading at a super-advanced level. She is testing well into high school range which is making finding her quality reading materials a bit of a challenge. She reads most chapter books in about a day so we're constantly looking for new books for her. Her teacher talked about how not only does she read and comprehend at a very high level, she discusses books at a very advanced level as well which she told us was really interesting. She's also doing great in all other areas and scored the highest in her class on the assessments, math and reading. M's teacher is really great this year.
C, 3rd grade, is also doing exceptionally well this year. He's also well above grade-level for reading and he's doing very well in all other areas of school. His teacher talked about how much fun he is and how he makes her smile everyday.
A, kindergarten, is doing great, too! She loves kindergarten and is also in the advanced learning groups in her class. She has the same teacher M and C had for kindergarten and we have such a great relationship with her, I know that really helps. We talked about how dramatic A is and how she's such a goofball...a deep thinking goofball, of course!
Common points of discussion from everyone's teachers: They are all eager to learn, ready to listen and happy to be at school each day. It was really great to go to everyone's conferences and hear good things across the board. Now to get the to act at home like they act at school!
S, 8th grade, is doing great! He made the honor roll and is working so hard to keep a top GPA this year. We are thrilled, if you guys knew how long and hard of a road it was get him to this point...it's just an amazing transformation on his part. I think it helps that he has become involved in helping with the team sports as their equipment manager. He didn't want to play football or basketball but he is good friends with the teachers who are coaches and they asked him to help out at practice and the games. It is great for him because he gets to be apart of the team on a behind-the-scenes kind of way. He goes to all the games and since he is keeping his grades so high I signed a permission form for him to leave the last hour to go to the away games. He loves it.
M, 5th grade, is still reading at a super-advanced level. She is testing well into high school range which is making finding her quality reading materials a bit of a challenge. She reads most chapter books in about a day so we're constantly looking for new books for her. Her teacher talked about how not only does she read and comprehend at a very high level, she discusses books at a very advanced level as well which she told us was really interesting. She's also doing great in all other areas and scored the highest in her class on the assessments, math and reading. M's teacher is really great this year.
C, 3rd grade, is also doing exceptionally well this year. He's also well above grade-level for reading and he's doing very well in all other areas of school. His teacher talked about how much fun he is and how he makes her smile everyday.
A, kindergarten, is doing great, too! She loves kindergarten and is also in the advanced learning groups in her class. She has the same teacher M and C had for kindergarten and we have such a great relationship with her, I know that really helps. We talked about how dramatic A is and how she's such a goofball...a deep thinking goofball, of course!
Common points of discussion from everyone's teachers: They are all eager to learn, ready to listen and happy to be at school each day. It was really great to go to everyone's conferences and hear good things across the board. Now to get the to act at home like they act at school!
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