Last Blog EveryDay in May: A Vivid Memory

My favorite vivid memories are spending time with Wounded Warriors! They are amazing people. My father who is retired Air Force and went to Vietnam and Desert Storm/Desert Shield. He has officially retired and about 6 years ago started with my church a Wounded Warrior Ministry which started at Walter Reed in DC and now Walter Reed in Bethesda and Fort Belvoir. 

I am sure you have heard of WoundedWarriorProject.org which is a fabulous organization helping our Wounded Warriors get through injuries including PTSD, amputations, and various other physical and mental issues. Not to mention transitioning soldiers from the military life back into the "real world". It is very tough to be overseas for numerous years and then come back to America after everything they experience. We serve them lunch on the weekends since they do not receive anything during the weekends. It has been a life changing experience.

My Favorite memory is this:
A man got married and left 3 months later to Iraq, while in Iraq his group was on a mission he stepped on a hidden bomb in the ground - I forget their military name and became a quadruple amputee he was only 21 years old. His wife the same age.  He came to Walter Reed in October and we finally got to meet him on Christmas Day. His entire family was in town with his wife to support him. During the Christmas Buffet we had members of our church playing music with instruments that was beautiful. The family started making requests and we ended up staying hours after we were supposed to "end". The family tried to pay us for our time and we said NO WAY! We saw that day on the man's caring bridge website - which is like a blog, that they had the best Christmas ever.

I swear I learn more from them then they could ever learn or get from me. If you ever get an opportunity to work with them... DO IT!

Until next time...

Blog Everyday in May: Letting go

Letting go....

The topic for today was what does it mean to let go for you. This has kind of been the theme of my blog. I am learning to let go of all guilt, bad feelings, low self-esteem, and anything sad. But I feel like I have been talking about this a lot. So here is a twist on letting go for me!

Items I am letting go of:

1. My book collection: I have a million books that I haven't touched since Middle School that I want to start giving to my students. I'm not getting rid of Harry Potter because I want to read this with my future children, so I'm starting my own loaners at school!

2. Make Up: I have a TON of make up I have bought and never used or need to throw away because it is so old. I found some rules above in a google search that I thought would really help my mission!

3. Office Supplies: Since I was young, I have been collecting office supplies. I am not sure what it is. I love pens, binders, notebooks, pencils, erasers, everything office and I love it! I have an entire Amazon Wish List to the perfect office supplies and I purchase something new every month! I know nuts. I want to start giving these supplies to my students who need them so much more than my basement!

Until next time...

Blog Everyday in May: A Letter to my Readers

A Letter to my Readers:

Hello beautiful readers! This is my letter to you. What would I do without you? As you have started to learn about me,  I have harbored a lot of baggage and through this blog and you fine individuals I have started to let go of all of the things that have been on my heart. I really am becoming a better person and learning new things every day! It is such a blessing to have a group of supporters who only know me online but offer up the best advice and encouragement. We need to stick together as humans and support each other. Life is full of ups and downs and it is so amazing to be able to share both you with. You never make me feel crazy, annoying, or superficial - even when I am being those things. I am blessed to know you and continue to get to know you.

THANK YOU!!!!!

Until next time...

Blog Everyday in May: Link and Discuss

Link & Discuss:

I was reading this blog post by I Wore Yoga Pants to Work, about 5 things that aren't acceptable in the real world, but are in the blogging world and I couldn't help but laugh, and then relate.

So I started thinking about things I do as a grown adult that I should probably "grow out of". 

1. Stuffies: I have multiple, and no I have never called them that, but the family I used to babysit for did call their stuffed animals stuffies so I figured this would be fitting. I currently have a singing rabbit, pictured below on my office desk. He sings "Why do you build me up" while dancing around. I won't lie he bring me great joy when I am loosing my mind. I have multiple beanie babies and still sleep with TIGGER! I got him when I went to college. 

Cutest Pink Rabbit in the world

Card from the little girl I used to babysit, the proof, it says "This is Ellie (the Elephant) Cady's best stufie in the world.

As you can tell from Tigger's Head - I sleep on it so it is flattening like a pancake! I have never washed him and got him in 2004 from my parents when I went to college. They have always said I was like Tigger because I have a bubbly, fun, personality!!! 

2. Glitter: I absolutely love glitter and try to use it whenever possible to decorate, craft with, or just plan have around me. I'm not sure why but it makes me happy. Currently in my office:

 Glitter Organizer from Walmart

 Glitter Pencils

 Glitter Pens and Glitter Glue Gun Sticks for Summer Projects

Glitter Initial

3. Pink: My father always said I would grow out of pink and I never did. EVERYTHING pretty much in my office is pink, black, or white - that is my color scheme. My chair, white board, organization bins, etc.

At the current moment I can't think of anything else :) Anything you do that you should grow up on???

Until next time...

Blog Everyday in May: Something someone once told me...

Something someone once told me that hasn't left me. 

Now, I know my Aunt didn't mean this. However, she did tell me when I broke up with my ex, did I ever think about the fact that, God makes some people to be single. Did I ever think that maybe I am one of those people?

You should have seen my face. I have been one of those girls who has dreamed of my prince charming, playing house, watching disney fairy tales, dreaming/planning my wedding, and not to mention always been boy crazy :) Well, I'm not at the current moment, they actually drive me crazy.

I would like to think that someone who is as invested in the education system, has a good job, and I like to think a good catch for someone, won't be single for the rest of my life. That just makes me sad to think about!

Until next time...

Blog Everyday in May: My 3 Worst Traits!

My Three Worst Traits

1. I am sarcastic/serious and most people cannot tell when I am being what. This is something I cannot help. This is very evident to me when I am telling someone "I'm not interested in you." They must think I am flirting or something. It is nuts.

2. I LOVE to pop pimples. Seriously sit and get my black heads out of my nose! Inspect my face to make sure I don't have any trying to come out. 

3. I am in LOVE with my label maker. Probably to the annoying point of labeling almost everything in my entire office, car, and life! I will post about my 2 label makers and how I organize in an upcoming post.

Until next time...

Blog Everyday in May: Things you won't learn in School

I learned so many things from life, that I didn't learn in school. My favorite life lesson is this:

"DO OR DO NOT... THERE IS NOT TRY!"

Besides the fact that I love star wars, this quote could not be more true. I have always been one of those people who puts 115% into everything that I do. I have a competitive nature, always want to do my best and work hard. I think that is why I love my job and feel like I get to do so much for my students. I'm blessed to have an amazing boss who supports me in my crazy ventures and so far ALL of them have been successful!

Examples: I'm not one to boost or brag but I'm really excited about these!

• Each school day my students will have dinner provided to them for 2013-2014 School Year
• I have 10 Business Partners that are each contributing $1,000 to our program that is $10,000 (Background: we are loosing $7,000 for the program from budget cuts and we haven't been re-approved for our grant which is $100,000 each year - we won't know til August but want to be prepared that they could say NO!)
• Due to our intervention plans after-school, so far and hopefully I won't ginx it, we have had a 95% pass rate on our standardized tests were last year we were at 75% pass rate
• I have 8 fundraisers - one for each month of school- planned so our students can experience more, receive more, and have a summer program to keep them out of trouble
• We have tripled our attendance this year, my goal is to double it again next year
• Adding more community events to the calendar to bring the families together

 

Please pray for Oklahoma! My family is there and are having lots to do. Your prayers will do more than you know!

Until next time...

Blog everyday in May: Rant about something...

My rant about something, happens to be a co-worker that drives me absolutely crazy! Just when I think she has made the turn to be a nice person she does something rude, crazy, or just plain mean. Here is an example from Monday:

She walks into the Cafeteria where we are serving dinner to our students, she notices that a boy and girl are what I would call cat fighting, hitting hands with each other. They were obviously flirting and being silly. She asked them to stop, they didn't listen, I think partly because they have NEVER seen her before. She only comes to after school events when they have free food. They continue to not listen, which I spoke with them about later is in the day, that this is disrespectful behavior and frustrating to adults.

My co-worker then says to the child, "Are you retarded?" He doesn't respond. So she asks it another way, "Why are you acting retarded?" and then a third time. "Do you realize you are being retarded?" I don't know about you but this is like the WORST word you can call a child, especially, my co-worker didn't know this but I do, he has a mentally challenged sibling. He came to my office balling his eyes out, stating, "I know I wasn't listening but that doesn't make me retarded!" This is when I became irate, my assistant had to tell me to calm down and I hadn't said anything my face was BRIGHT RED! 

In fear of loosing my own job because what I wanted to say to her was a string of profanities and that same question to her with profanity, I figured the best course of action was to call my principal, who luckily dealt with the situation. I was way too angry. I am one of those teachers where my students are my children, you mess with them, you mess with me and I will take you down! 

We have a huge Special Ed program at my Middle School and we have an after-school program for them. I am very passionate about having them involved in our program, the "general ed" student population getting to know them. I find our gen ed students the majority of them don't understand kids with special needs or how to handle them when they are acting "different" than they are, so this has been an eye opening experience for them. The students who would normally become behavior problems are blossoming and helping these students. It is truly a beautiful thing to watch!!

So the moral of the story, some people are never going to "get it". I have to learn to let them not get to me, this may take my entire lifetime to happen!

Check out their webpage R-Word

Until next time...

Blog Every Day in May: Links to my Favorite Things

I have so many things I am interested in right now. I LOVE the following:

Jcrew Factory 
Francesca's

Boutique Jewelry:
Pree Brulee
Charles Emerson Designs
Stella & Dot
Cookie Lee
Pop of Chic
BaubleBar
Wanderlust & Co

Clothing Boutiques:
Miss Chic
Deloom
RiffRaff
Tands
Shop Dandy
Modern Vintage Boutique

Hope you enjoy checking out my latest finds! Enjoy!

Until next time...

Blog Every Day in May: Struggling with

I'm struggling with: when do I tell my next boyfriend that I blog and share my personal info on the internet?

When I started this blog, I hadn't even thought about this, but as I am starting to date, NOTHING serious yet, I am still just seeing what is out there. I am unsure of when I let the new fling in on the fact that I have this tiny space on the internet. I have to say I have fallen in love with blogging. Meeting amazing, interesting, and caring people who have fabulous stories to share. Not to mention it is freeing to share my thoughts with everyone.

I know that the perfect man for me will be totally understanding, but not really sure how to bring up the conversation and make sure they are okay with it! I would love your insight. How did you tell your significant other you were already a blogger or wanted to be? What can I say you all know way more than me in this life!! Hope you are having a great week.

Until next time...

Blog Every Day In May: 5 Blog I love read daily and why

5 Blogs I love and why:

1. Of course my Big: Bekah from re-solve

She has been such a blessing and great source of inspiration and keeping me on the "hope" train for a lack of a better word.

2. J's Everyday Fashion 

This blog shares a different outfit every day and gives you various options of where you can find the pieces that she has used for the outfits. I love checking out the links and options for each outfit. Great resource for affordable and cute outfits.

3. Forever Newly Wedded

Karla is awesome. She works toward keeping her marriage fresh and shares her ideas, life, and fun with her readers. I love her writing and appreciate reading it everyday.

4. Somewhere over the Camo

Her name is Amanda as well so she has to be amazing :) She's a cute little red head, who is a military wife sharing her story. You will love it.

5. From here to eternity with Eric & Courtney

Courtney writes about everything and is married, has a baby, and is a hairstylist. She is really positive and upbeat. I love reading her blog every day.

Until next time...

Blog Every Day in May: Childhood Experience

A childhood experience that I remember well and was able to view recently was a trip my family and I took to Key West. My father, mother, grandfather, and grandmother went with us. My Dad was in the military with the Air Force at the time and he went to Key West, we were all able to go with and spend the week in Key West. I was 5 years old at the time. I had a lot of vivid memories, then found the videos that my grandfather took while we were in Key West and it made all of the memories flood back. 

This is one of the favorite memories I have as a child with my grandmother. She was never one to get on the camera or want to be the center of attention which now annoys me because I want to see her sweet face.

We went to dinners, played on the beach, pet stingrays, the adults played on the slot machines, and just enjoyed life. I would love to go on another vacation like this.

Until next time...