Is it meant to be?

"Strangers are just friends waiting to happen."
-Rod McKuen

There are four new classroom teachers at The Middle School this year. We are all female, in our mid-twenties, and in our first or second year of teaching.

I met up with the girls this morning at the district-level orientation, and I realized, as I was sitting there listening to our area superintendent stumble over his powerpoint presentation, that these three girls have some of the top qualities I look for in a friend these days.

1. No one's toes or fingernails were painted, much less sporting a perfect manicure. No need for that kind of frou frou around here.

2. When given a soft drink choice, these girls chose Coca-Cola over Diet Coke. No need to be so conscious of our weight that we deny ourselves the Classic.

!!!Disclaimer: That's not to say that if you do one of the above items you're no longer my friend. In fact, most who will read this have known me (and been my friend) long before we were concerned by how we looked and how much we weighed.

But sometimes, I think you can tell a lot about a person by their drink choice and fingernails. Hopefully this foretells of good friends to come!

Last bit of summer math

"Boats are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made."
-Robert N. Rose

+

+

=

+

+ a whole lot of Florida fun!

Wise reminder

"Every child begins the world again."
-Henry David Thoreau

My husband surprised me with his wisdom when said, "sometimes God gives you exactly what you need." Seeing this nine-month old baby this weekend reminded me that is so true.

Must never stop designing...

"A designer is a planner with an aesthetic sense."
-Bruno Munari

I knew that I could find a use for my design skills in the classroom!!

The best part of being employed...

"A bargain is something you can't use at a price you can't resist."
-Franklin P. Jones

I can shop the clearance aisles at Target again!!!

Officially employed!

"A teacher is a compass that activates the magnets of curiosity, knowledge, and wisdom in the pupils."
-Ever Garrison

Yesterday I walked around the house in shock, not believing the good news. But, last night it began to sink in...keeping me awake all night with ideas swirling around in my head.
On Monday I called to schedule my interview at The Middle School. On Tuesday I interviewed and left The Middle School disappointed that it hadn't gone as well as I had hoped. On Wednesday the principal of The Middle School called to offer me the job. "Would I accept it?" she asked. "Are you kidding me? OF COURSE!"
I am now officially an 8th grade Math (basically Algebra I) teacher at a school a mere 15 minutes from my house!
There are just over three weeks before students start school---so now it's full speed ahead until the 10th! There are lesson plans to write, a room to organize, orientations to attend, and plenty of other tasks to complete before then!

A little bit of luck couldn't hurt

"Luck is what you have left over after you give 100 percent."
-Langston Coleman

This past week I got a new haircut, a new dresser, and a job interview scheduled for 1:45 this afternoon!! Fingers crossed!!

New Shutter School lesson posted!

"Maybe because it's entirely an artist's eye, patience and skill that makes an image and not his tools."
-Ken Rockwell

From aurevoirkatie.

Head on over to the Shutter School website to participate in our 3rd photography lesson. This week it's all about framing your composition--should make for some interesting photos!! See you over there!!

Firecracker Favors

"And I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free. And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me."
-Lee Greenwood

Callie and Jana. What a team we make! This afternoon project is just the beginning for the dynamic duo. There is nothing we can't accomplish! I'm so glad we can be partners in crime again--that is, partners within 30 miles of each other!
We needed an idea of a treat to bring to the Fourth of July bash at my aunt's house tonight. We didn't want to ruin her menu (which almost always includes dessert), so we decided to go the party favor route, aka the "fireworks-watching-snack" route. A trip to Kroger for ingredients, a raid of the craft room for supplies, a little bit of girl talk while we worked, Lee Greenwood's music in the background, and.... kaboom! (pardon the fireworks pun!) the chocolate-peanut butter-powdered sugar-marshmallow-m&m-chex mix treats came together quite splendidly.

July means...

"Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it."
-Russel Baker


Today is the first day of July. That means...

... 2009 is halfway over.
... Rob's work is crazy busy with shut-down week.
... my sister is now a resident of Georgia--she moved into her new apartment today.
... I've got to find a Fourth of July celebration up here in the 'burbs.
... my mom and uncle stay the week with us next week.
... I need to plan a lovely dinner for my extended family.
... we must schedule a weekend to go hiking again.
... I'll soon reach my 250th Dancing Commas post.
... the time left to find a full-time teaching job is dwindling.
... still have to make it to a baseball game before the season's over.
... it's hot as blazes outside.
... hopefully my tutoring schedule will ramp up before school starts.
... we need to decide if we're going to go to Florida at the end of the month for a final summer fling.
... I must get busy with my summer goals/craft projects.
... I need to get outside to make this tan last a little bit longer.