Welcome to two-cent Tuesdays, where I will be giving my two-cents worth on various topics. (Ok, I know it's Wednesday, but I had this idea yesterday and was too busy to post, so that counts, right?) Today's topic: blogging. Real original, huh?
I remember when blogging first came out. It seemed like EVERYONE was participating. It was THE thing to do. But the posts would be daily diary entries or play-by-plays of what we did each day:
"Today I hit the snooze TWICE and then got ready for another day of work. I had a ham and cheese sandwich for lunch and met some friends at Chili's for dinner."
LAME! (Hey, I did it too, don't get offended!) No one wants to read the monotonous details of another person's life. In fact, I remember seeing a t-shirt at a store around that time that simply said, "NO ONE CARES ABOUT YOUR BLOG." HAHA! I loved it, even though I was guilty of the crime of lame diary-blogging myself.
But now, blogging has become a useful, therapeutic, and even money-making tool for this tech-savvy generation. Want to be inspired with helpful weight-loss tips, tricks, and anecdotes? There's a blog for that. Need advice on how to be a better parent? There's a blog for that. Need ideas for new recipes? There's a blog for that. And the list goes on...
One thing I like about reading other people's blogs is that it can help you feel more "normal." If "Susie Momblogger" blogs about her struggles with getting her child to go to bed at night, you can read it and feel at ease that you are not alone in the fight of motherhood. If this is the fifteenth time you've started your diet this year (and it's only January 31st), you can find a blog that gives tips, suggestions, and even stories of other people struggling with the same thing. We all need to feel like we're not alone in this world, right?
There's an awesome blog that was featured in my Alma Mater's quarterly magazine.
http://www.littlebignest.com/
She makes her own home decor, mostly out of things she already has lying around, and she is fantastic! I have always considered myself "crafty," but never really found my niche. I tried the scrapbooking thing, and although it could be fun, it got awfully expensive to do the detailing I wanted, and it was extremely time-consuming. I've done a few DIY home decor crafts and have loved it. Those little projects don't (typically) take up a lot of time, and usually require only a few materials. It's easy to feel accomplished with only a little time and a little money (or no money at all!). After finding this blog with her easy-to-follow and EXTREMELY beautiful decor ideas, I am newly-inspired to steer my creativity in that direction.
We are super broke right now while my husband is studying to become a physician assistant. So our house has had just some bare essentials as far as decor goes. I'm so excited to get started on some of these little projects to add life to our home!
So, what are some blogs that you follow? How are they useful to you? Do you have an idea for a blog? I'm interested to hear!
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Saturday, February 5, 2011
A Day in the Life of a Teacher, #1
I have decided that once a week I am going to post my favorite quote/experience from teaching for the week. We teachers have no shortage of entertainment, but it's a shame to keep it all to ourselves. Kids truly do say the darndest things, and here's just sneak peak into "a day in the life of an elementary school teacher."
*********
“Ms. Davis, I could tell you were having a bad hair day when you came in this morning.” (Only I wasn’t aware that I was having a bad hair day myself….gotta love that honesty!)
*********
Me: “Sometimes people are good at some things, but not as good at other things. We all have something we’re not the best at.”
Student: “Yeah, like you and talking.”
*********
“Ms. Davis, you look like you’re ten.” (from one of my 8 year old 2nd graders…even they think I look too young to teach.)
**********
A more touching moment…
My parents visited my classroom and I told my class to tell them what they should know about how I really am as a teacher. I thought they’d say funny stuff like “she gives us too much homework,” or the like. But my most “rough around the edges,” lower achieving student said with tears in his eyes (trying to hide them back) “she REALLY listens to you when you need to talk.” Warmed my heart for the rest of the year!
*******
(While looking at a book about planets) “Mrs. Guillo, I’m reading this book about states, but where is Arkansas?”
*******
I had a student with down syndrome. He is so precious to me, and I love him dearly. One day I asked him to get his library books from his backpack. He did as told, paused for a second, then proceeded to sprint out of the classroom, down the hall, out the outside doors, across the playground, across the blacktop and finally into another teacher’s room where he decided to sit at her reading table and start talking to her (you can’t understand his speech-so she was shocked and confused about what was happening, as was I). I was pregnant and in slip-on shoes and had to chase this kid the whole time. One of the funniest moments I’ve had so far. (I’m just thankful he didn’t decide to run down the street or something crazy like that!)
************
After spending a week talking about the story elements: characters, setting, problem, and solution…
Me: “So, what was the setting of this story?”
Student: “Um, fiction?”
***********
During a reading mini-lesson we discussed comparing and contrasting using a venn diagram. I talked for at least 5 minutes about how we were going to read “Little Red Cowboy Hat” and then we would say how this book was similar and different from “Little Red Riding Hood” which we read the week before. We made predictions about what would be similar/different, and I told them to be thinking about how they were similar and different as I read the story. Then I began reading.
I must have been at least half way into “Little Red Cowboy Hat” when a girl said excitedly, “HEY! This is like Little Red Riding Hood!”…. you think!? Better late than never, I suppose!
***********
I read a rhyming book about Halloween. On the 2nd to last page (I kid you not) the same observant girl as above says, “this is a rhyming book!”
**********
When I was pregnant with Camden, we took a field trip and one of my sweet boys gave me an impromptu hug. Of course he was the height where he hugs me right around the middle. Then he says, “WHOA! You are getting PREGNANT!”….thanks.
***********
While doing a “say no to drugs” activity given to us by the counselor, they were supposed to write in a speech bubble what they would say if someone offered them drugs. One of my students wrote, “YES.” Thinking he must have misunderstood the assignment, I explained it further and he said, “well, my mom and stepdad sometimes smoke a cigarette and sometimes drink beer.”
I said, “right, but they are adults and that is legal if they choose to do that. But this is talking about you now or as a teenager when it’s not legal. Or about the really harmful drugs that can make you really sick or even kill you. If someone offered you that, you’d say yes?”
And his answer, verbatim, was, “Eh, I’d take the risk.”
…WOW. I talked with the counselor and she dealt with the situation. I had never been so shocked in my life.
************
At a recent field trip, we went to Little Rock and played at a playground after our picnic lunch. One of my precious children came up to me while I was talking with another teacher and said, "Mrs. Guillo, I poo-pooed my pants." "I'm sorry, what!?" I said. "I poo pooed my pants." ...and the rest is history. I got to deal with that for what seemed like the rest of the afternoon...not at school, but in a random public restroom in Little Rock. They don't teach you how to deal with that in college!
************
I had a student who is deathly afraid of bees and spiders. One morning I dismissed him to go to the restroom which is down the hall. I was walking around monitoring my class as they were silent reading, when I hear these blood-curdling screams. Thinking I must be mistaken, I open the door. Sure enough, the loudest, most horrifying screams were echoing down the hall. Thinking some poor child was being physically abused by another child, I start racing down the hall, but 2 other teachers beat me to it. It turns out there was a small spider on the floor in the stall next to his. No physical bullying, just a spider. He came back with the biggest, saddest tears still on his cheeks. I tried my hardest to keep from laughing. That poor kid was so traumatized for the rest of the morning, and I learned quickly to confiscate any small bug before he lays his eyes on it... just in case.
************
"Mrs. Guillo, do rabbits lay eggs or do they squirt their babies out?"
***********
**How can you not love coming to work every day when you have students that brighten it with the funny comments they make or strange things they do?
**How can you not feel compelled to come into work every day and be a roll model when they make scary comments like saying yes to drugs?
**How can you not feel like coming to work every day is worth it when you once in-a-blue –moon find out the impact you are having on a child that you least expected to?
-I may forget this after a long, hard day, but it’s worth it. It’s all worth it! (except for maybe the poopy pants) ;)
AND NOW I INVITE MY FELLOW TEACHERS TO POST YOUR FAVORITE TEACHING MOMENTS, FUNNY OR SWEET! READY, GO!
*********
“Ms. Davis, I could tell you were having a bad hair day when you came in this morning.” (Only I wasn’t aware that I was having a bad hair day myself….gotta love that honesty!)
*********
Me: “Sometimes people are good at some things, but not as good at other things. We all have something we’re not the best at.”
Student: “Yeah, like you and talking.”
*********
“Ms. Davis, you look like you’re ten.” (from one of my 8 year old 2nd graders…even they think I look too young to teach.)
**********
A more touching moment…
My parents visited my classroom and I told my class to tell them what they should know about how I really am as a teacher. I thought they’d say funny stuff like “she gives us too much homework,” or the like. But my most “rough around the edges,” lower achieving student said with tears in his eyes (trying to hide them back) “she REALLY listens to you when you need to talk.” Warmed my heart for the rest of the year!
*******
(While looking at a book about planets) “Mrs. Guillo, I’m reading this book about states, but where is Arkansas?”
*******
I had a student with down syndrome. He is so precious to me, and I love him dearly. One day I asked him to get his library books from his backpack. He did as told, paused for a second, then proceeded to sprint out of the classroom, down the hall, out the outside doors, across the playground, across the blacktop and finally into another teacher’s room where he decided to sit at her reading table and start talking to her (you can’t understand his speech-so she was shocked and confused about what was happening, as was I). I was pregnant and in slip-on shoes and had to chase this kid the whole time. One of the funniest moments I’ve had so far. (I’m just thankful he didn’t decide to run down the street or something crazy like that!)
************
After spending a week talking about the story elements: characters, setting, problem, and solution…
Me: “So, what was the setting of this story?”
Student: “Um, fiction?”
***********
During a reading mini-lesson we discussed comparing and contrasting using a venn diagram. I talked for at least 5 minutes about how we were going to read “Little Red Cowboy Hat” and then we would say how this book was similar and different from “Little Red Riding Hood” which we read the week before. We made predictions about what would be similar/different, and I told them to be thinking about how they were similar and different as I read the story. Then I began reading.
I must have been at least half way into “Little Red Cowboy Hat” when a girl said excitedly, “HEY! This is like Little Red Riding Hood!”…. you think!? Better late than never, I suppose!
***********
I read a rhyming book about Halloween. On the 2nd to last page (I kid you not) the same observant girl as above says, “this is a rhyming book!”
**********
When I was pregnant with Camden, we took a field trip and one of my sweet boys gave me an impromptu hug. Of course he was the height where he hugs me right around the middle. Then he says, “WHOA! You are getting PREGNANT!”….thanks.
***********
While doing a “say no to drugs” activity given to us by the counselor, they were supposed to write in a speech bubble what they would say if someone offered them drugs. One of my students wrote, “YES.” Thinking he must have misunderstood the assignment, I explained it further and he said, “well, my mom and stepdad sometimes smoke a cigarette and sometimes drink beer.”
I said, “right, but they are adults and that is legal if they choose to do that. But this is talking about you now or as a teenager when it’s not legal. Or about the really harmful drugs that can make you really sick or even kill you. If someone offered you that, you’d say yes?”
And his answer, verbatim, was, “Eh, I’d take the risk.”
…WOW. I talked with the counselor and she dealt with the situation. I had never been so shocked in my life.
************
At a recent field trip, we went to Little Rock and played at a playground after our picnic lunch. One of my precious children came up to me while I was talking with another teacher and said, "Mrs. Guillo, I poo-pooed my pants." "I'm sorry, what!?" I said. "I poo pooed my pants." ...and the rest is history. I got to deal with that for what seemed like the rest of the afternoon...not at school, but in a random public restroom in Little Rock. They don't teach you how to deal with that in college!
************
I had a student who is deathly afraid of bees and spiders. One morning I dismissed him to go to the restroom which is down the hall. I was walking around monitoring my class as they were silent reading, when I hear these blood-curdling screams. Thinking I must be mistaken, I open the door. Sure enough, the loudest, most horrifying screams were echoing down the hall. Thinking some poor child was being physically abused by another child, I start racing down the hall, but 2 other teachers beat me to it. It turns out there was a small spider on the floor in the stall next to his. No physical bullying, just a spider. He came back with the biggest, saddest tears still on his cheeks. I tried my hardest to keep from laughing. That poor kid was so traumatized for the rest of the morning, and I learned quickly to confiscate any small bug before he lays his eyes on it... just in case.
************
"Mrs. Guillo, do rabbits lay eggs or do they squirt their babies out?"
***********
**How can you not love coming to work every day when you have students that brighten it with the funny comments they make or strange things they do?
**How can you not feel compelled to come into work every day and be a roll model when they make scary comments like saying yes to drugs?
**How can you not feel like coming to work every day is worth it when you once in-a-blue –moon find out the impact you are having on a child that you least expected to?
-I may forget this after a long, hard day, but it’s worth it. It’s all worth it! (except for maybe the poopy pants) ;)
AND NOW I INVITE MY FELLOW TEACHERS TO POST YOUR FAVORITE TEACHING MOMENTS, FUNNY OR SWEET! READY, GO!
Friday, February 4, 2011
When I Was Your Age...
...kid shows had normal titles.
So, my husband and I were new to the whole parenting thing, and our son was getting old enough to where we could let him watch a show here and there. We had no idea what age-appropriate shows were out there, so we DVR'd Blues Clues, knowing that we've seen it once or twice and could tolerate that for the time being.
Later, I decided to look on the TV Guide channel to see what shows were available for the pre-school age and I found myself just LAUGHING at the ridiculous titles there are!
Curious now? I have taken the time to list out all of the kid show names, clearly chosen after some substance abuse had taken place by a TV head-honcho somewhere!
-Team Umizoomi
-Yo Gabba Gabba
-Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!
-Pinky Dinky Doo
-Ni Hao, Kai Lan (I know this is Chinese, but still.)
-Bubble Guppies
-Zoboomafoo
-Caillou
-Rubbadubbers
-Noodle and Doodle
Really? What happened to "Tom and Jerry" or "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood?" It's like the creators took the first nonsense word their infant muttered and turned it into the name of their new show. "Oh, how sweet! She said 'yo gabba gabba!' I'm inspired to create a new show for children!" I just don't get it.
In the meantime, our now Blue's Clue's obsessed toddler is deprived because he watches a show that is outdated and no longer has cool merchandise for sale. (it only comes on at weird times at night, but we keep it recorded thanks to DVR) He'll have to settle for homemade "handy-dandy notebooks" and accept that his teddy bear is the closest thing we can get to a stuffed "Blue." Oh well.
Chicken. It's What's For Dinner. Again.
Well, I've deprived myself of this therapeutic hobby called "blogging" long enough. I'm back in the game. So for the two of you (hi, mom and dad!) who read this, you are welcome.
On my mind today? The wonderfulness that is ready-to-eat (enter favorite local grocery store name here) rotisserie chicken. At Wal-Mart, a small one, perfect for my 3-person family, is $5.00. It tastes SO good right off the bone, that simply throwing some frozen or canned veggies on the side makes for one easy meal.
THEN, as if it wasn't good enough on its own... The chicken is already cooked and flavored with a versatile seasoning, so the leftover options are limitless! I've had chicken quesadillas made w/ shredded cheese, leftover tortillas from taco night, and a bit of salsa and sour cream. I've thrown it into soup to make a delicious and super easy chicken tortilla soup, I've used it to "hearty" up a green salad for lunch, and I've made a delicious wrap with lettuce, cucumber, and ranch all in a tortilla. Tonight we're making our own pizzas, and I plan on making a chicken alfredo pizza with the last night's rotisserie leftovers. Can't wait to try it out!
So now what I want to know is, what are your favorite quick and easy chicken leftover recipes!?
On my mind today? The wonderfulness that is ready-to-eat (enter favorite local grocery store name here) rotisserie chicken. At Wal-Mart, a small one, perfect for my 3-person family, is $5.00. It tastes SO good right off the bone, that simply throwing some frozen or canned veggies on the side makes for one easy meal.
THEN, as if it wasn't good enough on its own... The chicken is already cooked and flavored with a versatile seasoning, so the leftover options are limitless! I've had chicken quesadillas made w/ shredded cheese, leftover tortillas from taco night, and a bit of salsa and sour cream. I've thrown it into soup to make a delicious and super easy chicken tortilla soup, I've used it to "hearty" up a green salad for lunch, and I've made a delicious wrap with lettuce, cucumber, and ranch all in a tortilla. Tonight we're making our own pizzas, and I plan on making a chicken alfredo pizza with the last night's rotisserie leftovers. Can't wait to try it out!
So now what I want to know is, what are your favorite quick and easy chicken leftover recipes!?
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Time to Prioritize
Camden has done more before 9:00 AM this morning than most of us do in a whole day:
6:30 Wake up and enjoy some family time
6:50 Personal devotional time (with his Praise Baby DVD)
7:15 Enjoy a healthy breakfast
7:35 Bath time
7:45 Exercise
8:00 Nap
8:30 Get dressed and ready for church
8:50 Leave for church!
I could stand to get my priorities straight and make the most out of my time like that. Thanks, Camden for teaching mommy a valuable lesson in priorities and time management. And for being stinkin' cute while doing it.
6:30 Wake up and enjoy some family time
6:50 Personal devotional time (with his Praise Baby DVD)
7:15 Enjoy a healthy breakfast
7:35 Bath time
7:45 Exercise
8:00 Nap
8:30 Get dressed and ready for church
8:50 Leave for church!
I could stand to get my priorities straight and make the most out of my time like that. Thanks, Camden for teaching mommy a valuable lesson in priorities and time management. And for being stinkin' cute while doing it.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
That's What Trends Are For.
The other night I was lying in bed as a huge storm was raging outside. A long string of random thoughts led me to thinking about rain boots. This led me to think about how wearing colorfully patterned rain boots over tucked in jeans has become a trend in the last couple of years. This is a particular trend (no offense) that my husband and I find very annoying. No reason, necessarily, other than the fact that we think it looks silly. But don't get defensive, just yet, because I've participated in my share of ridiculous fashion trends as well. Thus, this post is an ode to my favorite trends, both good and bad (mostly, the bad) that have come and gone.
Putting the UGG in UGLY-Similar to the rain boots, there is the ever-so-popular and yet ever-so-pointless trend: Ugg boots and shorts or mini-skirts. What's the deal with this? Boots that were originally crafted and designed solely to keep the feet warm in extremely cold temperatures, later became a "must have" to go with your tank tops and minis. While this trend just makes me laugh due to the sheer fact that it doesn't make sense, my husband, again, just finds it unattractive and annoying.
Thou Shawl Not Wear Shawls-Another trend I never participated in (thank goodness) is the old granny shawl that came back a few years ago. It served no purpose, and I secretly got a kick out of watching girls get theirs stuck on a hook or their earring, or snagged on their engagement ring, etc. I prefer to look young, thank you. I'll save the granny clothes for...never.
Now there are, unfortunately, some trends that were horribly hideous that I did participate in (hindsight is 20/20, after all).
Fashionably Clueless-Remember the movie Clueless? Well, I happened to be in junior high when that movie came out. So did I base all of my fashion decisions on that movie and that movie alone? You better believe it. I had dozens of pairs of those knee-high socks. It was a staple. I went to school wearing my ridiculous striped thigh-highs, a skirt, some platform or clog-like shoes, and a backpack purse to complete the ensemble. At the risk of losing all of my friends, I have attached a picture for proof of this awesome getup. I could be a poster child for What Not to Wear. And yet I felt like I was "hot stuff" when this picture was taken. Yikes.
Catch Wind of This Sporty Trend-I also admit that I wore those Nylon 'wind pants.' You know, the kind that made a loud 'swooshing' sound with every step you took? They were popular for quite some time, particularly among the athletic crowd. A pair of noisy Adidas pants, a sports' team t-shirt, and a pair of tennis shoes, and I had one good-looking outfit. The only problem is...I didn't even play sports. In fact, I was the opposite of athletic. But at least I looked good.
As I conclude this post, I want to mention a couple trends that I hope never make their return to the fashion world.
- Shoulder pads. I don't even have anything to say about this. It's self-explanatory.
- Stirrup pants. They never ride up! But they also never flatter the female form. A trend better left in the past.
We're all guilty of committing fashion crimes. It's inevitable. After all, that's what trends are for. Let's just hope we take lots of pictures along the way so we can look back and laugh later.
Putting the UGG in UGLY-Similar to the rain boots, there is the ever-so-popular and yet ever-so-pointless trend: Ugg boots and shorts or mini-skirts. What's the deal with this? Boots that were originally crafted and designed solely to keep the feet warm in extremely cold temperatures, later became a "must have" to go with your tank tops and minis. While this trend just makes me laugh due to the sheer fact that it doesn't make sense, my husband, again, just finds it unattractive and annoying.
Thou Shawl Not Wear Shawls-Another trend I never participated in (thank goodness) is the old granny shawl that came back a few years ago. It served no purpose, and I secretly got a kick out of watching girls get theirs stuck on a hook or their earring, or snagged on their engagement ring, etc. I prefer to look young, thank you. I'll save the granny clothes for...never.Now there are, unfortunately, some trends that were horribly hideous that I did participate in (hindsight is 20/20, after all).
Fashionably Clueless-Remember the movie Clueless? Well, I happened to be in junior high when that movie came out. So did I base all of my fashion decisions on that movie and that movie alone? You better believe it. I had dozens of pairs of those knee-high socks. It was a staple. I went to school wearing my ridiculous striped thigh-highs, a skirt, some platform or clog-like shoes, and a backpack purse to complete the ensemble. At the risk of losing all of my friends, I have attached a picture for proof of this awesome getup. I could be a poster child for What Not to Wear. And yet I felt like I was "hot stuff" when this picture was taken. Yikes.Catch Wind of This Sporty Trend-I also admit that I wore those Nylon 'wind pants.' You know, the kind that made a loud 'swooshing' sound with every step you took? They were popular for quite some time, particularly among the athletic crowd. A pair of noisy Adidas pants, a sports' team t-shirt, and a pair of tennis shoes, and I had one good-looking outfit. The only problem is...I didn't even play sports. In fact, I was the opposite of athletic. But at least I looked good.
As I conclude this post, I want to mention a couple trends that I hope never make their return to the fashion world.
- Shoulder pads. I don't even have anything to say about this. It's self-explanatory.
- Stirrup pants. They never ride up! But they also never flatter the female form. A trend better left in the past.
We're all guilty of committing fashion crimes. It's inevitable. After all, that's what trends are for. Let's just hope we take lots of pictures along the way so we can look back and laugh later.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Define...Clean.
I started off my day with a rice cereal sneeze. You know, when a baby has a mouth full of rice cereal and the urge to sneeze hits him and before you know it, you're covered head-to-toe in the stuff?
And why is rice cereal so hard to clean up, by the way? I take my time wiping him down with a warm, wet cloth, and an hour later I'm peeling off dried, flaky deposits of it in his ears, on his toes, in his hair, etc.
After his second rice cereal wipe down this morning, I came to the conclusion that we moms tend to surrender to a new definition of the word "clean." I think I can sum up this new definition to this: If it doesn't smell like poop or look like it's been pooped on, it's fine!
My son didn't ease me into motherhood. Oh no, it wasn't long before I was "showered" at the changing table. But perhaps the time when we were officially inducted into the parent club was when my husband and I took our son for his one month pictures. We wanted to do those ever-so-popular nude baby pictures- for blackmail down the road, of course. He managed to urinate all over the black sheet he was laying on- twice. Then in the ten seconds it took to pick him up and lay him down to get a diaper on, he managed to go "number two," which landed in the pocket of my denim skirt. Ew. Then, as if that wasn't disgusting enough, he gave us an encore which this time landed on daddy's shirt. He sported a nice yellow stain for the rest of our time in public.
I will say, though, that the spit up, slobber, and the diaper disasters are all nice scapegoats for my own personal messiness. I rarely go a meal without something falling either off of my fork or out of my mouth and onto my clothes. My husband likes to point this out to me regularly. But now, if I'm out and about and my typical eating clumsiness occurs, I blame it on the baby. Baby stains are more socially acceptable, so I'm milkin' it for all it's worth!
Well, I have to go spray-n-wash four onesies, the slobbery shoulder of my t-shirt, and the pants that I...er...uh...the baby spilled food on, then draw a bath to scrub the pesky dried cereal that somehow got up his nostrils and under his armpits. Oh, motherhood...
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