Wednesday, February 27, 2008
3:30 PM | Posted by
Team Mitchell & Crew
Today Fayette County Schools are out on their 6th snow day of the year. I think this is a record (all except the crazy ice storm year in 2003) in the ten years I have worked for the county. Crazy Kentucky weather...and apparently, it's supposed to be in the 50's on Saturday.
During my day off - I did laundry, cleaned the kitchen, graded open response questions for the 5th grade team at school and read some magazines. I took a couple of quizzes today, which reminded me of my all time favorite church camp quiz from high school. It's so simple, you can almost make it up as you go! Perfect ice breaker for large groups.
Ask a _____ or _____ question and have the group decide between only the two options. One choice is on one side of the room, the other choice on the other side of the room. This is the basic idea -
Question ---- Shawna's answer
Coke or Pepsi - Pepsi
Ford or Chevy - Chevy (ignore my Mustang :)
Black Ink or Blue Ink - Black
Coffee or Tea - Coffee
Pie or Cake - Pie
Skim or 2% - 2%
Skirts or Dresses - Dresses
Country or Rap - Country
Fruit or Mint Flavor - Mint
Winter or Summer - Summer
Spring or Fall - Fall
Read or write - read
Swim or Lay out - Lay out
Roller Coaster or Roller "No - Way" Sir - Roller Coaster
Sports Player or Sports Spectator - Spectator
Dancer or Wall flower - Dancer
Disney or Pixar - Pixar
Sports Car or Mini Van - Sports Car
UK or UL - UK
Basketball or Football - Basketball
Eat or Diet - Eat
Piercings or Tattoos - Tattoos
Home or Away - Home
Couples Night or Group Night - Group Couples Night :)
OK - so I cheated on the last one. See if you can add more questions and spin this quiz into your own. More will follow later. :)
During my day off - I did laundry, cleaned the kitchen, graded open response questions for the 5th grade team at school and read some magazines. I took a couple of quizzes today, which reminded me of my all time favorite church camp quiz from high school. It's so simple, you can almost make it up as you go! Perfect ice breaker for large groups.
Ask a _____ or _____ question and have the group decide between only the two options. One choice is on one side of the room, the other choice on the other side of the room. This is the basic idea -
Question ---- Shawna's answer
Coke or Pepsi - Pepsi
Ford or Chevy - Chevy (ignore my Mustang :)
Black Ink or Blue Ink - Black
Coffee or Tea - Coffee
Pie or Cake - Pie
Skim or 2% - 2%
Skirts or Dresses - Dresses
Country or Rap - Country
Fruit or Mint Flavor - Mint
Winter or Summer - Summer
Spring or Fall - Fall
Read or write - read
Swim or Lay out - Lay out
Roller Coaster or Roller "No - Way" Sir - Roller Coaster
Sports Player or Sports Spectator - Spectator
Dancer or Wall flower - Dancer
Disney or Pixar - Pixar
Sports Car or Mini Van - Sports Car
UK or UL - UK
Basketball or Football - Basketball
Eat or Diet - Eat
Piercings or Tattoos - Tattoos
Home or Away - Home
Couples Night or Group Night - Group Couples Night :)
OK - so I cheated on the last one. See if you can add more questions and spin this quiz into your own. More will follow later. :)
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Today's post is for anyone that has ever or will ever work in the field of education. As someone who knew they were going to be a teacher from the time they could write, knew good and well that education would be the business I woukld retire from - I feel the need to send out a teacher hug! Educators really don't get the credit and pay they really deserve, and sometimes I feel like the only people who recognize that are others within the profession.
The demands of teachers and students are harder than they have ever been. The accountability is astronomical and you feel personal responsible when it doesn't go just so. (Just ask anyone at CME who worked on Learning Checks today.) You'd be a fool to think that someone went in it for the money, but sometimes - easpecially during the long winter months, teaching feels like an uphill climb.
So many, many, many thanks to all of you in our lives that touch the lives of other people....in a teaching / coaching way each and everyday!! You are the reason that we are all here!
To my Mom, my CME friends, my coaching colleagues, my college roommates, my mother-sister-brother-in-laws, the Ed Dept. at Georgetown and UK, my former teachers and anyone working with kids...thank you for everything you do. I hope my Lainie gets teachers just like you!
The demands of teachers and students are harder than they have ever been. The accountability is astronomical and you feel personal responsible when it doesn't go just so. (Just ask anyone at CME who worked on Learning Checks today.) You'd be a fool to think that someone went in it for the money, but sometimes - easpecially during the long winter months, teaching feels like an uphill climb.
So many, many, many thanks to all of you in our lives that touch the lives of other people....in a teaching / coaching way each and everyday!! You are the reason that we are all here!
To my Mom, my CME friends, my coaching colleagues, my college roommates, my mother-sister-brother-in-laws, the Ed Dept. at Georgetown and UK, my former teachers and anyone working with kids...thank you for everything you do. I hope my Lainie gets teachers just like you!
Monday, February 25, 2008
I'm BACK!!!
I know ya'll completely missed the meanderings of the red head and company. So much has occurred in the last week I hardly know where to begin!
#1 TRIP TO RENO
Amazing!! Relaxing! Fun! Full of good food - everything!!! We gambled, we slept, we played black jack, we slept, we watched movies, we slept, I ate crepes, he slept, we learned Sudoko, caught up on sleep (notice anything?). It was awesome.
While we were there, we visited the Lake Tahoe region. If you have never been there - GO!! Beautiful is all I can say. It was covered in 3 feet of snow and a new 3 feet were on their way during the weekend, but it looks like a Christmas post card. Snow hangs heavily from the trees, skiers walk past in their cute little hats and perfect looking sweaters. Oh - it's gorgeous. The lake is blue year round. I couldn't believe how pretty it was.
While we were there and aside from sleeping, the four of us (me, Scott, his Mom and his sister Vickie) ate out at a fancy-smancy restaurant our last night there. This was quite the adventure!
If you have never had a waiter tell you it was time to clean your palette, let me tell you....cleaning your palette tastes really good. Apparently, you take a pretty little "shot" glass on a stick, fill it with lemon sherbert (sorbet - I'm told) and then pour 2 oz. of Krystaal Champagne over it and sip it with a spoon.. (I am such a red neck, that I can't even spell Chris-tal - let alone know how "dirty" my own palette was!!) Oh my goodness - heavenly! I now am a fan of this Kristale stuff...at least until Scott told me how expensive the stuff is. (More than this teacher can afford!)
At the end came the dessert...AND....it traveled with it's own "cloud." Imagine beautiful truffles on a brass serving tray with dry ice beneath - f.a.n.c.y!!! They were yummy too!! See picture below.
The coolest part about this meal, is that my high rolling mother-in-law was able to pay for the meal with the comps she had been winning!! She got the whole meal comped! Unbelievable! Thanks Elaine!
#2 T-Ball when we returned home
This is my favorite part of the blog - but since I've gone on so long, I'll keep it the shortest. Lainie started in-door t-ball yesterday. She is on the Cubs team with the Winchester YMCA. Her coach is Coach Ballard. He is the son of one of Scott's old junior high football coaches.
I must say, that I was pretty tickled when Lainie at least knew which hand the glove went on, how to semi-hold a baseball bat and that the stick was called a tee. She knew which way to run and got the idea she should run after the ball. It's better then some of the little ones out with her. 4 year old chaos! Coach Ballard deserves a medal!! :) Coach Daddy looks pretty cool too!
Monday, February 18, 2008
Today we have a post with a triple threaded meaning. Cool Parents is today's title. Here are the reasons why.
#1: If you asked our child who are the coolest parents in the world, naturally she would say Momma and Daddy! (We hope at least!!) And I would even imagine that if she were a few years older and could actually articulate why we are cool parents, her pre-teen self would say - "Like duh Mom, I mean look at that trippin picture of me with the faux UGS and the very real (albeit outdated) IPOD in my hand at 4 years old. (See Exhibit A) I mean totally, ya'll rock!" To which we would bow and say - well naturally! We're pathetic, but we get it honest. Here's why -
#2: Shawna's parents are super cool. They look forward for like eons to whisk Lainie away for days at a time. Truly days at a time and always beg for more. If we were smarter we'd take them up on it more and have a few more couple's only weekends...but we do still love her. Even still, my parents will drive all the way from Maysville multiple times in a week just to help us with Lainie, never once complaining. So therefore - I too have cool parents! (oh yeah...and my Dad now reads my blog nightly...religiously...so brownie points there I imagine!)
#3 And finally Scott's parents are cool beans too! Before his Dad passed away in Otober 03 (We miss you Poppa!), he and Scott's mom were all over the place - from Vegas to Cancun. Half the time, they took anywhere from 1 to 12 of us with them. Scott and I have been to Nevada, California and Arizona with them and multiple times each year Elaine still takes parts to all of the gang to West Virginia, Tennessee, Florida and anywhere in between. She is still a jet setter and therefore makes the list as a cool parent!
So as you can see, Lainie, Scott and Me are incredibly lucky to have people like this in our lives = i.e. Cool Parents! I'm sure you do too!! Thanks guys!
PS: The IPOD is not Lainie's, it's mine :) We're cool...we're not insane.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Scott won a FREE trip to Reno! Man I knew all those trips to Vegas would pay off one of these days!
And so, we are now packing!
So, did you know that you can't take cattle prods with you to your seat on an airplane? You can't take blow torches, flares, chlorine and / or my billie club. Now, before you become as anxiety ridden as I did at the thought of leaving these at home, there is some good news. Several of these items are things that you CAN pack into your checked luggage. Whew - that made me feel a whole lot better.
Luckily for my family, the most stressful part to our packing (besides not being able to take my brass knuckles,) was trying to figure out if my poor mother in law could take her cigarette lighter anywhere near the airport. You would think that that would be a quick yes / no on the prohibited items list, but it's not....there is actually an asterisk to more thoroughly confuse us white bread Americans and to frustrate my nicotene needy mother in law. Here's the link. If you can decifer it any better than I can, please advise. Otherwise, it might be smart to study up on what you will not be able to have in your lap during your sardine packed trip in coach!
http://www.tsa.gov/assets/pdf/prohibited_and_permitted_items_10-24-07.pdf
So, come Tuesday, Scott, my Mother In Law (Elaine / Gran), my sister in law (Vickie) and I are off to gamble in the fine state of Nevada as we cash in our free chartered trip to Reno. It was free!! Many thanks to my high rolling husband and his even higher rolling momma!! Did I mention the word free? Wish us luck cuz Lainie needs a new pair o' shoes!
And so, we are now packing!
So, did you know that you can't take cattle prods with you to your seat on an airplane? You can't take blow torches, flares, chlorine and / or my billie club. Now, before you become as anxiety ridden as I did at the thought of leaving these at home, there is some good news. Several of these items are things that you CAN pack into your checked luggage. Whew - that made me feel a whole lot better.
Luckily for my family, the most stressful part to our packing (besides not being able to take my brass knuckles,) was trying to figure out if my poor mother in law could take her cigarette lighter anywhere near the airport. You would think that that would be a quick yes / no on the prohibited items list, but it's not....there is actually an asterisk to more thoroughly confuse us white bread Americans and to frustrate my nicotene needy mother in law. Here's the link. If you can decifer it any better than I can, please advise. Otherwise, it might be smart to study up on what you will not be able to have in your lap during your sardine packed trip in coach!
http://www.tsa.gov/assets/pdf/prohibited_and_permitted_items_10-24-07.pdf
So, come Tuesday, Scott, my Mother In Law (Elaine / Gran), my sister in law (Vickie) and I are off to gamble in the fine state of Nevada as we cash in our free chartered trip to Reno. It was free!! Many thanks to my high rolling husband and his even higher rolling momma!! Did I mention the word free? Wish us luck cuz Lainie needs a new pair o' shoes!
Friday, February 15, 2008
I am very excited about a new class coming up that several of us will be taking this Spring semester. It is a photography class. There are 4 different levels and most of us that are interested in the class need at least the 2 and beyond. Since my photography interests are at best a hobby that people occasionally pay for, I figure I better try and get at least a little better. At least, that is, before I take any more money from loving people (i.e. customers.) If anyone else is interested, let me know and we'll swap time and place information since the classes are helpat LCC.
Many thanks to the following families for letting me enjoy the people in your lives through the lens of my camera within the last year: (and thank you for trusting me enough to pay me for doing it) The Burgel Family, Taylor Family, Connelley Family, Vogler Family, Lindon Family, Mitchell Family, Hammons Family, Bailey Family, Hughes Family and Blair Family. Thank you again for giving me money to do what I most enjoy - capture your memories on film!
Also - many thanks to our fabulous friend Karen for inspiring me to write a post about my "our" love of photography. Can't wait for class to start girlfriend!
Many thanks to the following families for letting me enjoy the people in your lives through the lens of my camera within the last year: (and thank you for trusting me enough to pay me for doing it) The Burgel Family, Taylor Family, Connelley Family, Vogler Family, Lindon Family, Mitchell Family, Hammons Family, Bailey Family, Hughes Family and Blair Family. Thank you again for giving me money to do what I most enjoy - capture your memories on film!
Also - many thanks to our fabulous friend Karen for inspiring me to write a post about my "our" love of photography. Can't wait for class to start girlfriend!
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Isn't it funny that even when we don't expect much for Valentine's that really somewhere deep down we still kind of expect something for Valentine's Day?? It really is a little ironic the way our heart and mind tell us to be grown up and OK with the fact that "money is tight" or "our love is really all we need"...but way - deep - down, diamonds are really the things that move us most? I had hoped for the past 11.5 months that I too would be mature enough to move into the next generation of my life, but call me weak....I melted when I saw the small white box wrapped in a bow appear within his hand! I tried to be strong and resist the urge to beam all night long...but who can help it when he brings you jewelry. I mean really.
I think I am slowly working one over on my child as well. Sure enough, the boy surprised us both with little boxes from the jewelry store! I got the new Journey pendant with 6 diamonds growing larger each time and Lainie got a pair of monogrammed silver earrings. Good job mister!!! We love Daddy!
Check out my new culunary treats I pulled off for the fam too! Scott "invented" a better way to keep the chocolate from getting mushed on the plate under the strawberry, so we stuck shish-ka-bob sticks into a styrophoam Speedway cup and voila! A chocolate covered strawberry bouquet dryer! That and a cool open window worked perfectly. Brenda bought the ones I made for school for $20 and Scott and Lainie gobbled up the rest! Man I'm good!
Happy Valentines Everybody!!!
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
So did you know that members of the Disney movie - The Incredibles, like to slow dance? It's true! They do. In particular they like to dance most on snow days when everyone is off from school.
My favorite girl in the world is my 4 year old daughter named Lainie. For over a year and a half now she has been infatuated with dress up and playing pretend. I mean everyday. e-v-e-r-y--d-a-y!! We walk in the house and off come the school clothes. We range from a princess to a super hero to a green M & M...all thanks to the loved ones in our lives that find Halloween costumes on sale dirt cheap!
So today it was again. I spent the morning slow dancing with Ms. Incredible. Our song you ask? Rainbow Connection care of Kermit the Frog from the Muppet Movie when all of us were younger. If you've never slow danced on a snow day.....we highly recommend it!
PS - I am now on my fourth dessert for the Goodies for Guatemala sale tomorrow at school. Thanks Alyssa for the Caramel Corn recipe....Ms. Incredible and I are making Valentine care packages for the Grandmas as well! Good heavens I LOVE SNOW DAYS!
My favorite girl in the world is my 4 year old daughter named Lainie. For over a year and a half now she has been infatuated with dress up and playing pretend. I mean everyday. e-v-e-r-y--d-a-y!! We walk in the house and off come the school clothes. We range from a princess to a super hero to a green M & M...all thanks to the loved ones in our lives that find Halloween costumes on sale dirt cheap!
So today it was again. I spent the morning slow dancing with Ms. Incredible. Our song you ask? Rainbow Connection care of Kermit the Frog from the Muppet Movie when all of us were younger. If you've never slow danced on a snow day.....we highly recommend it!
PS - I am now on my fourth dessert for the Goodies for Guatemala sale tomorrow at school. Thanks Alyssa for the Caramel Corn recipe....Ms. Incredible and I are making Valentine care packages for the Grandmas as well! Good heavens I LOVE SNOW DAYS!
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
As if life as I know it hasn't been filled to the brim the last few years! Those of you that know me, know that I am somewhat of a busy body - throughouly enjoying projects, problem solving and usually the whirl of life in general. Ironically enough, I even surround myself with friends that are just the same as I am. Married, children (or with some on the way), time consuming careers, social events and friendships that keep life interesting etc.
Well.....I now have adopted a sub-cultural (I doubt that is the right phrase for it) group of friends (interestingly enough - they are normal and just like me when you hold them up to the light) who have turned me onto blogging! BLOGGING!! I mean really! For so long, I told myself - nope...ya ain't goin there. But ya'll did it....ya'll sucked me in!!
First off - I want everyone to know up front that I not an incredibly interesting person..outside of the normals. I mean, I'm a Mom (by far the best role I have ever been handed in the movie of life), I'm a wife to a self - made husband that I love, all be it that he is the hardest worker I have ever met (more explanations on that later), and a sister, daughter, in-law, and friend to some of the coolest people on the planet. I get up, I go to work, I grow with my colleagues, I drive home, I chat with my friends, I laugh with my family and I snuggle into bed. It really is everything I've ever wanted.
Well...by all definitions, I guess I am now a blogger...and so the journey begins!
Well.....I now have adopted a sub-cultural (I doubt that is the right phrase for it) group of friends (interestingly enough - they are normal and just like me when you hold them up to the light) who have turned me onto blogging! BLOGGING!! I mean really! For so long, I told myself - nope...ya ain't goin there. But ya'll did it....ya'll sucked me in!!
First off - I want everyone to know up front that I not an incredibly interesting person..outside of the normals. I mean, I'm a Mom (by far the best role I have ever been handed in the movie of life), I'm a wife to a self - made husband that I love, all be it that he is the hardest worker I have ever met (more explanations on that later), and a sister, daughter, in-law, and friend to some of the coolest people on the planet. I get up, I go to work, I grow with my colleagues, I drive home, I chat with my friends, I laugh with my family and I snuggle into bed. It really is everything I've ever wanted.
Well...by all definitions, I guess I am now a blogger...and so the journey begins!
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