Check it out!

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Ok, we've had so much rain lately that I admit I'm in the just getting wet crowd ~ really, really, really wet!

But there's good news too!

My camera didn't get stolen from my room and starting tomorrow there are some fun things planned at Stuff to Scrap!

At last!

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I can't even begin to tell you how happy I am that the month of April is finally coming to an end! Of course, my quietness lately may give you some idea. This month has been waaaaaay toooooooo lonnnnnnng! It's also been hard and boring and infuriating and a whole bunch of other words that I probably shouldn't say here!

My photography class has ended and the next course doesn't start until June. I plan on taking that class if my camera that I forgot at school on Friday hasn't been stolen out of my class room before I get there on Monday morning. Yes, sadly, I have to worry about things getting stolen from my room but I'll save that story for another day.

Anyway, I had all kinds of things I was going to do with the extra free time on Saturday morning, but mostly I slept and watched TV while it rained outside. Orange Croc Guy thought we would go geocaching, but thanks to the rain I was spared that fate. lol! Not sure how I'm getting out of it next weekend though. lol!

For now there are 28 more school days until summer vacation and I really, really need for them to pass quickly!

Everything is Satisfactual by Scraps of Ellay

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I can't believe that I completely forgot to tell you about the Everything is Satisfactual kit by Scraps of Ellay! Maybe, it's because lately I haven't been feeling very satisfactual about much of anything. I've been a real bummer lately and I'm afraid that things may not get better until the next 28 school days are over. Can you guess what happens after that?.....

SUMMER VACATION!!!!!
Now that's my idea of satisfactual!

Anyway, this adorable kit deserves to be seen so take a look...

This huge kit has 35 papers, 93 elements and an alpha. This is a fun spring kit! Take a look at a couple of layouts I put together...

Take advantage of the sale at Stuff to Scrap and pick up this beautiful kit from the Scraps of Ellay store!

An App For That by Nibbles Skribbles

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Do you know someone who is addicted to their phone, ipad and/or computer? Well, then you've got to check out this great kit from Nibbles Skribbles called An App For That

This is such a fun kit with 12 papers and 49 elements.

Take a look at a layout I put together...

Right now, this kit is 33% off! Check it out in the Nibbles Skribbles store at The Studio. While you're there check out all the matching goodies! You can pick up some clusters, stacked papers, journalers or the awesome kit bundle.

You should also check out the Nibbles Skribbles blog for more layout inspiration.

Check out the Stuff to Scrap sale!

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The Story of Me part 37

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November 28, 1996

Leo arrived at the Harrison’s house early in the morning to celebrate what he called his first real Thanksgiving Dinner. He had explained that holiday meals at the group home were just like any other meal unless people from one of the local churches brought over some food. Then he went on to explain that no one had done that lately because last Christmas some of the older kids had pick pocketed all the people who had brought food and presents for them.

Leo knocked on the door then entered the home without waiting for anyone to open the door or give him permission to enter. He spent so much time with Harmony and at the Harrison’s house that they had told him to think of it as his home too.

“Leo what are you doing here so early? We’re barely awake.” Mary laughed as she walked into the room to greet him.

“It’s Thanksgiving. I didn’t want to miss anything.” Leo said as he held out some fresh flowers for Mrs. Harrison.

Mary took the flowers, smelled them then smiled at Leo. “Didn’t we tell you to stop taking flowers from people’s yard?”

“Someday I’ll have a job and I’ll make lots of money and I promise I’ll buy flowers for every home between here and the group home to make up for the ones I’ve taken.” Leo stated matter of factly.

“I believe that you will. For now, you can come help me in the kitchen.” Mary said.

4-26-12

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4-25-12

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FlowerScraps needs help!

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Have you visited the FlowerScraps blog lately? Well, she's ready to update her look and is asking for suggestions. Go check it out cause you may even win a gift certificate!

4-23-12

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QP Contest at CSD!

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You should join the fun at CSD! For this month's QP contest we were given the kit Sun, Sun, Sun by ButterflyDsign. You can grab the page I made by clicking on the preview below...

Check out the CSD forum to pick up all the beautiful pages that are being given away!

4-22-12

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April QP contest at DSS!

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Check out the awesome free kit that was part of this month's QP contest at DigiScrap Station...

You can grab the QP I made by clicking on the preview below.

Don't forget to visit DSS to check out the other freebies and maybe even join in on the fun!

4-21-12

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The Story of Me part 36

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October 31, 1996

Gene and Mary held hands and laughed as they watched Harmony and Leo dance around in the living room with their matching Halloween costumes. Both children were wearing ghost costumes made from old bed sheets. Gene had helped Leo dress his costume up with a top hat and a bow tie. Harmony had added a pink tutu and plastic tiara to hers.

Leo had spent a lot of time with Harmony and the Harrisons since that first playdate back in September. The Harrisons had purchased some clothes for Leo and allowed him to keep some of his things at their house. Leo had explained how things had to be shared at the group home and were often stolen. Leo was as proud of the cardboard box of belongings he had sitting in the Harrison’s lving room as rich people are of their mansions.

The Harrisons had initially been worried about the amount of time Harmony spent with Leo, but they were good for each other and he was a respectful boy. They decided that it was destiny that brought the two lost children together.

“We better get going before all the good candy gets taken.” Gene Harrison said as he clapped his hands together and motioned for the front door.

Harmony and Leo held hands as they skipped out of the house saying ‘trick or treat’ over and over again.

4-19-12

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News on Sebastian

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I thought it might be time to give you guys a little Sebastian update and I promise that it is all good news!

He went after school today for a cast change and it looks like this will be the last cast he'll need as a result of this surgery.

The last cast was really hard for him. They readjusted his foot putting more pressure on it and bent his leg at the knee a little more than before. It was really painful for him and it was painful to watch him dealing with it, but he handled it like a pro.

This new cast will hopefully be easier on him. Mom says it will only be a half cast instead of covering his full leg. He's excited that he'll be walking again soon.

The doctor's have all been pleased with how everything has gone and how quickly he has healed. There's a possibility that he may have another surgery this summer since he's handled this one so well.

I'll get a pic of the new cast tomorrow to share with you.

Guess what?

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I made it through the day without getting fired, moved to fifth grade, or telling anyone off.

Aren't you proud of me?

More photos...

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**Come back tomorrow for the guy version of this wordart**

OK guys, I had a wonderfully lazy weekend so there's not much to talk about tonight. I decided I would show you a couple more of the rainy day photos I took Saturday. I really only like this first one because the tall building in the background by the cruise ship is where I live.

I really, really dread going back to school in the morning. Wish me luck!

Rainy day photos

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Finally, something went my way this week! I didn't have to photograph cows! I would have done it, but I would have done it from a distance. lol!

Because of time and the weather we just stayed on campus and took photos. It was fun. Here's a photo I took of my instructor...(Not the mean one that said I wasn't creative, but the nice one that actually likes my photos.)

And here are a couple of my classmates...

After taking lots and lots of pictures we went to Bryan in the Kitchen and had an excellent lunch!

Next saturday is our last class and I am so sad about that! Now, I'm not going to have anything to do on Saturday mornings but sleep in. lol! I plan on taking the advanced class, but it doesn't start until June.

Job hunting...

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OK, so, uummm, if you know of any schools that are looking for a kindergarten teacher could you put in a good word for me? I should probably start my job hunt now cause I'm pretty sure no one can go off on their principal the way I went off on mine today without facing some sort of punishment...really, really bad punishment.

In my defense, after being forced to test my students for over two hours on Tuesday I warned everyone that this was not going to be the week to mess with me!

I have decided that whatever my punishment is, I will wear it like a crown because I didn't say anything that wasn't true and I don't regret anything I said. As a matter of fact, after I had time to calm down and think about everything I was only sorry that I hadn't said more!

Orange Croc Guy has been laughing at me all night. He informed me that I'm the worst smack talker ever and that he's not going to support me after I get fired.

AND.....as if there weren't already enough things wrong in my life.....my photography class fieldtrip has been messed up and the last I heard they were changing the plans and now I might have to go photograph cows.

I don't do cows!

They're big and smelly and I'm scared!

The Story of Me part 35

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**Come back tomorrow for the guy version of this wordart**



September 7, 1996

Harmony woke up early. Leo was coming over for a play date and she couldn't wait. She had never had a play date before. Mary had taken her shopping the previous evening and they bought flavored drinks and snacks. They even bought a game for Leo to take home with him after the play date was over.

“I’ll get it! I’ll get it!” Harmony ran through the house yelling when she heard the doorbell ring at exactly 10 o’clock. She opened the door smiling and Leo was standing there in jeans that were too big, a wrinkled dress shirt and a tie. He was wearing shoes that looked new but were too big for his feet. He was smiling and holding what looked to be fresh picked flowers in his hands.

“Hi Harmony! I found your house. These flowers are for Mrs. Harrison. I wanted to thank her for letting me come over.” Leo was excited and talking very quickly.
Mary and Gene walked up behind Harmony. “Harmony, don’t just stand there let your friend come inside.” Mary laughed.

“Hello ma’am. These are for you. Hello sir. Thank you for inviting me to your house.” Leo’s smile lit up his whole face and Harmony was smiling just as brightly as she watched him.

Mr. Harrison looked at his wife and quietly whispered, “Oh my, I didn’t think boys would start showing up this soon.”

“Hush” Mary whispered back before taking the flowers Leo had offered. “It was very nice of you to bring me flowers. Come on in. Would you children like a snack before you play.”

“Oh yes, that would be very nice. Thank you.” Leo said as he reached for Harmony’s hand and entered the house.
Gene and Mary watched from a distance as Harmony and Leo ate their snacks and talked and laughed about things that only eight year olds think are funny. They watched through the window as the kids played in the backyard. Leo was the perfect little gentleman. He held Harmony’s hand as they walked and pushed her on the swing. At one o’clock Mary called the children inside for lunch and watched as Leo held the door for Harmony.

“Leo, what time is your mom coming to pick you up?” Mary asked as she placed sandwiches and chips on the table in front of the children.

“Oh, I don’t have a mom. I live at the group home that’s over on Fifteenth Avenue. I just have to be back there before it gets dark outside.”

Gene put down the newspaper he was reading in the other room and sat up to listen as Mary put her hand on Leo’s shoulder. “Leo, honey, Fifteenth Avenue is over eight blocks away. How did you get here?”

“I walked.” Leo announced. “I walk everywhere I go. I think that’s why I’m so skinny.”

Gene laughed from where he was sitting and Mary smiled. “Well, I tell you what. After you kids eat lunch and play some more. We’ll drive you home in the car so that you don’t have to walk.”

“That would be very nice. Thank you.” Leo smiled again then took a big bite of his sandwich.

The dark days are over!

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You have no idea how NOT fun it is to give a standardized test to kindergarten students! On Tuesday those poor babies were tested for over two hours and Wednesday's test lasted for over an hour.

RIDICULOUS!!!!!

Apparently, the powers that be don't care that the attention span of a kindergarten student starts to give out after about 15 minutes.

4-11-12

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To My Kindergarten Class...

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Dear Class,

You should not read this blog because you are five or six and you are in kindergarten, but there are some things I want to say and this is the place I always come to when I need to work out my thoughts.

There are just some things people shouldn't know about their kindergarten teachers. Things you shouldn't know about me. The day you stop believing that I live in our class room, have Santa on speed dial and am close personal friends with Zero the Hero is the day the world begins to lose some of it's magic and you start to believe stupid things like standardized test scores being more important than fairy tales and daydreams.

There are a few things that are more important than fairy tales and daydreams. A standardized test score isn't one of those things.

I want you to know that I am sorry. I am sorry that in around 9 hours I'll be responsible for giving you a standardized test. I am sorry that from this day forward you will be constantly bombarded with standardized test in school. I am sorry that someone somewhere, someone who doesn't know you and hasn't met you will draw conclusions about who you are and how successful you'll be in life based on how well you score on these standardized tests. I am sorry because you are five or six and you are in kindergarten and you should be playing instead of testing.

You were sent home from school on Monday and told to get a good nights sleep and to eat a good breakfast before coming back to class. You should be sleeping now. I should be sleeping now.

I can't sleep because I'm worried about you. I've thought all night about what I can say to encourage you; to remind you of just how wonderful you are. Right now, it feels important for me to say that while you are, can and will be lots of things it is the thing that you aren't that matters most.

You are not a test score!

Through the years you will be forced to sit through more of these tests than anyone can count and you will have teachers who will handle them differently. Some teachers will try to make you believe that the future of the entire world depends on how well you score, others will simply tell you to do your best and trust that you will. I hope that I have been like the latter, but fear that I have probably jumped back and forth between the extremes. I am sorry if I have made you feel pressured to do well. I am sorry because you are five or six and you are in kindergarten and you are not a test score.

There will be questions on this test that you can't answer. I know that you will look at me with pleading eyes expecting help. I am sorry that I won't be able to offer that help. Please understand that it makes me as sad as it will make you. It makes me sad because you are five or six and you are in kindergarten and you are not a test score.

You will take lots of test during your educational career. Some will be long, others short. Some will take forever to finish and others will go quickly. Some tests you will enjoy and find easy; others ~ not so much. Just remember that there is more to you than any test score can ever reveal.

Through the years you will take some important tests too. Your courage will be tested. Your faith, loyalty, honesty, willpower, integrity and patience will all be tested. These are the only tests that really matter. The only tests I truly hope you never have to say you've failed.

I am tired now so I am going to try to sleep. When I see you in class I will smile and remind you to go to the bathroom, to listen carefully to the directions, to think about your answers and to do your best.

That's all you need to do. Nothing more and nothing less. Leave all the worrying to me because you are five or six and you are in kindergarten and you are not a test score.

Family Tree by Nibbles Skribbles

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Someday, I should tell you the true story of my great,great grandfather who stowed away on a ship from Ireland and settled in the mountains of North Carolina where he took seven---yes, I said seven---wives.

I'll save that story for another time and show you the new kit by Nibbles Skribbles that I should use to scrap pictures of him, his wives and his 30 something children. The new kit is called Family Tree. Take a look at the preview...

Here's a layout I made...

Check out the Nibbles Skribbles blog for more layout inspiration and check out her store at The Studio to buy Family Tree.

4-9-12

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Happy Easter!

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I'm sorry!

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I have no idea what is going on with box lately, but you know that you can always email me anytime you have a hard time downloading something.

The Story of Me part 34

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Back by popular demand! LOL!

Last week was a long one for me and I completely forgot to post another installment of The Story of Me. Seriously, I can't believe you guys are still reading this, but it sure does my ego some good! So, keep reading! lol!

Thanks for the emails encouraging me to share more! Now, here you go...

Harmony had sat alone in the lunchroom eating. She spoke to no one and no one spoke to her. When it was time, she threw her trash away and followed the other third graders onto the playground. Harmony found a bench by the basketball court and had a seat to watch the other kids play. She could see the three pretty girls from class talking to a small group of boys and pointing in her direction.

The boys walked across the basketball court pointing at Harmony and chanting, ’You ain’t got no daddy.’ over and over again while the girls stayed behind and giggled. Harmony lowered her head and looked at her lap without saying a word while the boys continued to taunt her. Their chants were getting louder and crueler until Harmony felt someone sit on the bench beside her and the taunts suddenly stopped. The girls across the playground stopped laughing and the mean boys walked away.

Harmony kept her head lowered so that no one would see her tears until she heard a voice beside her say, “My name is Leo. I won’t let them bother you any more.”

Harmony looked up into the smiling face of a tall but skinny boy with missing and crooked teeth. His pants were too short. His shirt was too baggy and wrinkled. Leo had dark hair that was shaved close to his scalp and brown eyes that looked almost too big for his face. He reached over and touched one of the tears on her cheek. “Pretty girls like you should never cry. Why don’t you come play with me?”

Harmony smiled as she instantly fell in love with the boy who had come to her rescue. She nodded her head to let him know she was glad he was there and wanted to accept his invitation to play. Leo stood up and extended his hand for Harmony. She accepted it and spent the rest of playtime walking hand in hand and getting to know her new friend.

Once the students were back in class Harmony stopped at the door because she didn’t want to leave Leo. She didn’t want to sit at the table with the girls who had teased and made fun of her. “There’s an empty chair beside me.” Leo told her before he gave the mean girls a look daring them to say anything. Then he picked up Harmony’s supplies and led her to the back of the room where he had been sitting at a table by himself.

“This is my second time in third grade. I failed last year because I didn’t do enough of my work. Nobody messes with me and now you’re my girl so nobody will mess with you either.” Leo announced proudly as he pulled out a chair for Harmony to sit in.

“I’ll help you do your work. I’m shy but I’m kind of smart. Harmony said as she sat in the chair Leo offered her.

Check out the sale!

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All weekend you'll find the above kits on sale for only $1! PLUS...all month long there is a 33% off sale AND 50% off on Sundays! April is going to be a great month!

Check out the Nibbles Skribbles store at The Studio to see all the great sale prices!

Dressed in White by FlowerScraps

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FlowerScraps has released a beautiful new kit called Dressed in White and it is perfect for all the special moments in life. Take a look at the kit preview...

There are so many times when a kit like this is needed ~ baptism, christening, first communion, etc. There's even an addon available that's perfect for a bridal layout!

Take a look at my layout...

Check out the FlowerScraps blog for more layout inspiration and to pick up a cute freebie she has for you!