Georgia Ave On My Mind

love.

2012-02-14T19:58:00.001-05:00

Happy Valentine's Day from the most loving class I have ever taught.

One kid called me "sweetie" all day today.

They made me feel so loved today. I am lucky to be their teacher.

mastermind

2012-02-13T23:35:00.000-05:00

This is how my simple mind likes to work. I see a vision and a picture.

I try to describe in words, but it doesn't make sense.

But then....

this MASTERMIND takes over

and takes over my humble non attempts at excel and creates

this brilliant presentation

and makes me look like I am fabulous

when in reality he is the one who is brilliant and fabulous and he is letting me take all the credit.

hence the blog tribute.

Thank you Eric!

a perfect day?

2012-02-09T22:09:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Miss Slagle's First Grade Class.

We have been learning about continents (they are pros at singing songs to remember all the big continent names). We made a life-size diagram of the world and then drew animal that belonged in each continent and wrote captions and labels.

They loved it. I loved it...they were engaged in this for at least 2 hours.

I love Valentine's Day because I love LOVE. Here are their Vday mailboxes...they are adorable.

We love writing love notes to each other and putting them in the Bucket of Love.

Thank you teacher blogs. I love seeing what my kids write about each other!

To top off it off-Tam and I got the privilege of watching these two sweet faces for about 2 hours while Dev went to a Mother of Multiples Orientation for the yardsale tomorrow. Wow.

sweet charleigh grace.

sweet logan addison.

holding the sleeping baby and my dinner. talent.

Tam and the babes.

I mean could you imagine anything sweeter?

no words.

2012-02-06T16:10:00.003-05:00

~~Today I applied for graduation.~~

Today I TRIED to apply for graduation.

All I have to do is fill out my name, address, email, etc and then what degree I will graduate with so my sweet cape is the right color. The next step was to write my name as it will appear on my diploma and here in lies the problem.

It is currently a family issue about how to spell my middle name.

WHAT? REALLY? You ask-how did I make it through my entire life without knowing this, but on all my legal documents my name is all in little caps. For my college diploma I don't ever remember filling anything out. The reason this matters is on this graduation form it had a disclaimer that

my license may be affected if my name doesn't match my legal name. Lord help me...I need that principal license.

The name debate.

Brittany Joanne VS Brittany JoAnne

Currently, good ole Dad is trying to find my birth certificate to get everyone some clarification.

I never knew I had no idea something as important as how to spell my middle name.

this weeks all time lows

2012-02-05T16:24:00.003-05:00

This week I hit THREE all time lows.

1. I am pretty confident that 3 out of the 4 week nights I was in bed by 9. (lame or adult-like?)

2. I have been dealing with a very red eye so lately I have been wearing my glasses a lot. At first, I thought maybe my eyes were just dry so I tried rewetting drops which felt like knives stabbing me in the eye. One night I was making chili and cutting up an onion and my eyes watered for probably close to an hour...at one point I couldn't see it was so blurry. My eyes were so red, itchy, and watery so I decided I needed allergy eye drops. T and I went up to the local CVS (in the hood) and I proceeded to run to the allergy aisle, grabbed some relief, and quickly bought it. While T was making her purchase I looked like an addict trying to break into the box, tear off the top of the drops, and with a shaky hand try to get them in my eye with no luck. T stepped in and helped me in the doorway of the CVS right next to the rent a cop who gets a gun. (happy to report...the drops did the trick and I have clear eyes once again)

3. I have been trying to do no sugar in my food since New Years and it has been going really well. I can successfully say I have not had sugar until lunchtime at school on Friday. Our school cafeteria RARELY has food that I will consume, but everyone in a while they have these delicious homemade sides (potato salad, rolls, etc). Friday, was the berry crisp with granola...this homemade goodness is mouth watering. I tried to talk my kids into this amazing treat and they were not taking the bait. One even proclaimed he was "allergic to homemade." The sweet cafeteria lady gave us (the class) a taste of the crisp and I could not even wait until the kids got through the line..I leaned right over Randi's shoulder and took a bite of our class sample. What is wrong with me? I am happy to say that the guilt from the amount of sugar in that bite was enough for me to finish out this no sugar challenge. (also my sweet babes are now in love with the berry crisp!)

rolling on the river

2012-01-29T12:12:00.000-05:00

Everyone looks forward to the weekends myself included, but what I look forward to the most is the slow pace, the feelings of really accomplishing something, feeling rested, enjoying friends, drinking coffee on the couch, etc. My kids are great, but sometimes I feel like I don't breathe M-F so the weekends are much anticipated time of deep breathing.

All day Friday I looked forward to leaving school and kicking off the weekend with the Krauters. Ashley and I had the pleasure of eating one of Michael's creative (and delicious) dishes and then we went to the movies to see Something Loud and Incredibly Close, but it was sold out. Thanks to groupon-we bought half price tickets and went to see One For the Money. I would recommend redboxing that.

I did kid school work all day Saturday and then met up with Devan and her sweet girls for dinner. I mastered rocking one to sleep and eating lettuce wraps with one hand. It is the little accomplishments that make you proud.

charleigh grace and logan addison

oh my goodness. they are the cutest things in this world.

little lola.

It almost feels like a movie marathon weekend because T brought home a few options which we watched both. I am my mother's daughter because I am pretty sure I missed the end of Moneyball.

Today all I have and will accomplish is listening to these podcasts here (I LOVED the one about Jacob's Dream...I found it quite applicable to my life in its current state.) and going to Amelies to meet BJ for some grad school productivity.

I. heart. Fridays. Saturdays. Sundays.

lessons learned.

2012-01-25T07:13:00.002-05:00

REALLY IMPORTANT REALIZATIONS BELOW

1. I have baby veins that do not like to give blood.

I have matching bruises on both arms due to the nurses' inability to find and actually get blood from a vein.

It took a lot of hitting and a 3 baby needles to get 1 vial of blood.

This just solidifies one MORE reason not to do drugs.

2. Second Lesson:

imagine picture of tired Brittany. no one needs to see that.

I require at least 8.5 hours of sleep. Everyone always says you need 8 hours of sleep to be rested...I need 8.5. I am pretty confident my friends would agree that I have the uncanny ability to fall asleep whenever and wherever (I blame my parents). For some reason the last 2 days, I have had 8.5 hours of sleep and I realized this directly correlates to how my day goes. Really, you want me to have that much sleep. I am a much kinder, patient person to be around. I am a better teacher and I am sure a better friend with that much sleep.

I would like to say this would require me to go to bed at 8:30 or 9 every night and that just can't happen (until I officially declare spinsterhood.)

For now, I will try to stay awake when I drive on Independence Blvd (which is often very. very. tough.).

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food for thought.

2012-01-10T20:34:00.000-05:00

As I was perusing Facebook distracting myself from what I really needed to be doing, I found this video on a few of my friend's pages.

I am glad that someone made this video. I know that there are two sides to every argument, but this pretty accurately reflects my feelings on education. In response to the video I would like to claim that I don't think that teachers are the only valued profession in the world (it didn't make that claim) and I realize that my life and salary is a blessing and that there are many other professions that make less than teachers.

I would also like to put it out there though that I am tired of teachers complaining and being negative nelly's just because they are not in the ideal situation. Yes, I have complained. Yes, I think it is a real problem to freeze/decrease our pay BUT the real danger is going to to be when education can't attract competent people and can't retain the ones that are truly effective. I am thankful for my full time, with benefits and summer vacation schedule. I appreciate the money that I do make. I enjoy my life and feel like I seize every moment. I am just not going to work 3 jobs for the rest of my life.

interesting. huh?

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once upon a time

2012-01-08T11:15:00.002-05:00

Once upon a time I had this friend that lived with this other girl and we used to hang out all the time. So much that when the other girl moved out....I decided to move in. This roommate relationship ended up being pure bliss. For a long time-life was pretty sweet in Quail HIll.

Meet Ashley.

Ashley is a joy to be around. She is the best listener and always adds an element of fun to any setting she is in. She always has great advice to share and it has been so much fun being a part of her and (now Michael's) life. Life is never dull around Ashley.

ps. Ashley is the best host/party thrower EVER. I do NOT know anyone else who puts more thought, effort, or details into ANY party they throw. I would hire her for anything I ever needed to plan because it would be perfect.

Before I bought my house when I lived with her...our schedules were completely different. Hers brought her home late at night and mine had me up at 5am. There were many nights when she would pop in my room at midnight and whisper-"are you still awake" and then we would be up for hours chatting.

long time ago..

my birthday celebration

wild wings for a nick's birthday

happy 4th of july

merry christmas from 2008?

bachelorette fun....

celebrating ash's bachelorette at the spa!

Ashley's wedding weekend was a blast! I will run through the events via pictures.

Before I left for China, I met Ash at the bridal shop where she bought her dress. She was trying it on and I was just along for the ride. I arrived and they were no where to be found. The lady at the front desk handed me a box and I opened it up and inside was this ribbon with the words "will you be my bridesmaid" attached to it! It was so cute and then I started freaking out and then Ashley and her mom popped out. I loved Ash's dress and ended up buying my dress that night as well! The deal was a black silk dress with pockets. Easy enough... :)

Fast forward 5 months.

Wednesday night we went out to dinner at Cowfish and had a blast! The majority of the wedding party was in. We ate dinner, had lots of fun, and then went back to the Ashley's mom's house. Everyone slept in on Thursday and went to the church, ran last minute errands, etc. I went to work at 6am. Awesome. I left work as soon as possible and met the bridal party at the nail spa where we got manis/pedi's. After that we got ready for the rehearsal and the rehearsal dinner.

At the rehearsal dinner at Maggianos. What a fun night and beautiful celebration of the cute couple.

love them.

We stayed in the hotel the night before the wedding after the rehearsal dinner and on the day of the wedding woke up for a lazy morning. We went to breakfast and then the hair girl came upstairs and did all of our hair. Here is cute Ash getting her hair done.

Then we went over to the church to get dressed and take pictures. They did a first look and then we went out and took group shots. The photographer was amazing. We loved the pictures. She did a great job!

Notice my hair piece. Ash's colors were taupe and black. She made these flower broaches and we were told to wear them anywhere we wanted. I wore mine in my hair, some girls put it on their dress, some attached it to pearls. Point in case for Ashley's attention to details.

gorgeous.

ash and her mama-lover dover.

the sweetest baby at the wedding-ada lee.

the first look

so sweet.

kristy. ashley's future sister in law and a blast to hang out with all weekend.

with kristy and kelsey-the cutest 8.5 month pregnant bridesmaid ever.

adam. a great groomsmen.

the sweet couple.

yay! taylor!

It was a great weekend celebrating Ashley and Michael.

Ashley, thank you for including me in your wedding. I loved every minute of your special weekend. You are a great friend and I am so thankful for you in my life!

to set goals or not to set goals

2012-01-06T17:40:00.001-05:00

Today is January ~~5th~~ 6th. ~~5 6~~ days into a supposed New Year's Resolution. Let's back track for a second...I ~~like~~ LOVE New Years...it ranks in my top 5 favorite holidays.

In the past I have made various goals that I really intended to keep, but somehow I forgot all about them in February.

I said I was going to read this book because I wanted to have a more discipline life. I read the book and I hope some of the practices carried over, but most of the time I don't think so.

I wanted to read the Bible in chronological order and I made it to like April. fail

I wanted to be a runner.

note: this is NOT a race, it was actually a typical park street that was like every other part of China. a mess of people everywhere.

And lastly....I wanted to be a "clean" "simple" eater. So far this is still a goal

This bring me to this year...what do I want to add to my life maybe this will work better than taking away

More tea to kick/cut back my coffee addiction so far only a teensy cup in the afternoon hours AND no creamer just sweet n low. a far cry from my 32 oz at 6am.

Read the news everyday hanging in there. it feels good to be informed.

Graduate with my masters classes don't start for a few more weeks, but my really expensive books are starting to pour in. Only 3 more classes and then I can officially be a school administrator or a heavily indebted teacher.

Do some form of athletic event/race maybe the monument ave 10k? maybe something else?

Pursue opportunities that will want my new credentials:) the world is my limit. seriously.

Travel to lots of places vague I know but so far Philly, Jackson Hole, and Spain are in the works

Refinance the house being a grown up is tough...way to raise the city taxes Charlotte-Mecklenburg now my payment is quite high.

Paint the dining room it is narrowed down to 2 colors-come vote. they are taped to my wall.

Sand and paint the trim around the house this one I could give or take...we will see.

the end of an era.

2011-10-24T18:14:00.003-04:00

Since our freshman year of college (circa 2002) I have lived my life with these 2 friends. They are two of the best friends and we have walked through life together. We have done school, grad school, deaths, house buying, moving, boyfriends, engagements, but marriage was a new one for us. These girls I see more than some people in Charlotte.

When Sarah was living in Indy, a common time that we had available was after school for me and before one of her group therapy sessions. We would always catch each other up on our days and chat about whatever was going on. It was rare if we didn't talk. One time I remember having a slight panic which resulted in a meltdown at school and I ran into my asbestos bathroom and she talked me down from my cliff. I didn't get to see her as much as I did Haney. But, needless to say we all kept in pretty good contact over the 5 years we have been out of college.

a birthday trip to indy in the frigid month of january

Her wedding weekend was amazing. I flew into Akron on Tuesday night pretty late. I checked a bag and carried on 4 bags (ekkkk). Harold my dad aged angel took mercy on me and carried my pink hanging bag full of dresses so that I was allowed to get on the plane. I arrived pretty late on Tuesday night, but Sarah ho was there and I am pretty sure we didn't stop talking until late in the night.

On Wednesday, we ran errands for the wedding and then picked up the wedding dress! Later on that day-a few of the other bridesmaid flew in and we had dinner at her parents house! We then all went back to Sarah's apartment and hung out and I believe we watched Bridesmaids. Fitting.

got the goods.

man we are tan

On Thursday, we went out for mani/pedi's and it was Grandma and Mom's first time pampering themselves in this manner. We were all happy to take part of their "first time." It was sometime on Wednesday night where we discovered the amazing app of Heytell. We proceeded to use this app ALL weekend using our trucker voices and walkie talkie lingo. The things that amuse ~~people~~ us.

love those girls

We checked into the hotel and then went over to the wedding/reception site to help set up. By the end of the time there everything looked magical. Sarah really did a great job of making sure there were lots of little details and they made the place look great! She was such a calm bride and so much fun to be around. A side note: this was our first meeting with the groomsmen and we were pretty confident that we were going to have a blast with them all weekend because John had pretty great friends!

We were told a few months in advance that we needed to practice the Party Rock Anthem dance and be ready to do it at the reception. We were given a tutorial to watch and to practice our moves to. I made my friend Michelle practice with me and clearly I had a tough time following the directions. The future Cain's made us all practice as a group on Thursday afternoon before the rehearsal dinner. They had planned it out perfectly that we were all announced at the reception to the beginning of the song and then at the part where it goes "Everyday I'm Shuffeling" her and John broke out the dance. Then Trista and I and our groomsmen partners broke it down with them and then everyone joined in. It ended up being hilarious and went SO perfectly. I can't wait to see the video. I did have my doubts and you will too after viewing my practice video.

here is us doing the actual dance...

getting introduced...what am I doing?

there they go

the one part I could actually do

my impressive running man

Thursday after the rehearsal we went to this great little Italian restaurant and we were that annoying, loud table in the corner. It was my Taylor girls and then the groomsmen and we had a blast. I am pretty sure that we invited ourselves to go live in the vineyards with one of them. They were so much fun. The whole weekend was everything that reminds me of Sarah. She made sure that we all felt so loved and that we knew how much she appreciated us being their to celebrate her special day with her. Little does she know-we all love her and would do anything for her. Thursday night we went back to the hotel and ended up continuing the party in one of the rooms we had.

my peeps

the bride

the original group

it seemed like a good idea

On the day of the wedding we woke up and ate breakfast, had a pretty lazy morning, and went and got our hair did. It was slightly rainy, but the bride took it all in and really actually didn't care. We got dressed, helped her get in her dress, and then started the picture madness. It actually was raining pretty hard and was close to like 45-50 degrees out. So, freezing with horizontal rain. We did our best and got as many pictures taken as possible. They turned out great and Sarah and John were unbelievably beautiful (and giddy to get married).

hold the tears in

tada...

love the jewelry and this friend

The boys earlier that day had to make a makeshift rain guard on the screened in porch where the ceremony was held. They made it so the rain didn't come in and it cut out some of the wind. Every once in a while there was a gust that would take your breath away, but for the most part everything was fine. I have never seen a more beautiful ceremony. They wrote their own vows and just the way they interacted was adorable. The reception was a blast and I am pretty confident that we didn't stop dancing until they shut everything down and then we took the party elsewhere. My MOH speech went surprisingly well and I held the tears back (for the most part). If I kept my written copy I would post it here but alas I think I threw it out as soon as it was over.

here are the group shots taken by the photographer (ken love)

Sarah, I am so thankful that we are friends and that I know I have someone who I can always count on. Your friendship means the world to me and I was honored to be a part of your day. John is a lucky person to end up with you (not that you are not great too, John!).

don't forget the cupcake to go and please the correct time to eat it is in the elevator

the group the day after at the best breakfast place ever.

I am so glad we are forever friends.

awake my soul

2011-10-16T22:50:00.001-04:00

In these bodies we will live, in these bodies we will die

Where you invest your love, you invest your life

Awake my soul, awake my soul

Awake my soul

You were made to meet your maker

-Mumford & Sons-

These would be the lyrics of the Maine theme song. I'd say about 90% of the time we were in the car which was almost the whole trip we were listening to Mumford or someone else from Bonnaroo.

disclaimer: Sarah Jo Edwards Cain's wedding actually came first but that entry is taking me entirely too long to write too much fun too many memories. It is next...I promise.

E picked me up in PA after I traveled back to the East Coast with Ann and Jules. We left early on Sunday morning and got up to Kennebunkport in time for dinner (there will be a food centered theme here).

Before we got to Kennebunkport though, we stopped in NYC. E wanted to see this little gelato pop store. We went in, quizzed the workers, and ate 4 popsicles that were all very good. Good thing I don't live close or it would def. give my fro yo addiction a run for its money.

Kennebunkport was DEAD. I think there were 2 people in the whole town. It was here that I had my first lobster roll. Delicious. We went back to our bed and breakfast and had a nightcap on the comfy leather couch where we discussed the benefits and blessings of growing up in Midlothian. E says that it is the wealthiest area in VA....I believed him until I went into Chesterfield Towne Center to grab something-that place has gone downhill.

The next day we toured around all the fancy schmancy houses in Kennebunkport. I was told that George Bush Sr had a yellow house on Ocean Ave. So, we pulled up to a yellow house about 10 ft off the road and I took a few pictures until I realized the lady in the window was waving at me. How cool would that have been if it were Barbara?

It wasn't. Of course. We kept driving and then we saw it. The Bush Compound. It is isolated, surrounded by rocks, and very very gated. I did see someone walking, but I couldn't tell if it was Georgie. I hope so. We got as close as we could on the rocks before we thought shots would be fired.

We went back into town for another meal and a few shops. Did I mention that a million old people flock to Maine in October?

And that my friends is IT for Kennebunkport, Maine.

We drove up to Bar Harbor on Rt. 1 on the scenic coastal route. It was very pretty and I realized why all the old people love Maine. We passed through some really cute towns (Camden-I know why you love it Dunnevants) and for some reason we decided to stop at a chair making place. I can't exactly remember why. It provided a little entertainment and then we continued onto Bar Harbor. We finally pulled into our home for the next 4 days on Graham Lake. It was a cute little house right on the lake with kayaks/canoes.

That night we explored Bar Harbor and went into Acadia National Park. The next day it was raining so that put a damper on our kayaking adventures. We went into Bar Harbor again and explored. When we got home that night we decided that we would go canoeing. Mind you-it was not raining anymore, but it was pitch black out. We stopped and picked up some headlamps and gloves for my cold hands. We suited up in our warmest "water proof" clothes and then took the canoe out. E originally wanted to go kayaking, but I wanted to be in the same boat as him so we switched to canoes. He probably didnt want to carry 2 kayaks down to the water. We got out on the lake and I started freaking out. The wind was probably going 40 mph and it was so fast there were waves and they were splashing me in the front of the canoe. I was terrified that we were going to lose sight of the house. Everytime I turned around to see if the lights were still on the boat would rock and then I thought we would tip. We ended up hitting a sandbar and so then I just was over the night canoeing adventure. All I could was envision us cold, stuck out in the middle of a lake, with only the bag of chips E grabbed and threw in the canoe before we left.

The next day we went hiking in Acadia. E wanted to do this strenuous ladder hike, so we settled on just strenuous. We hiked 3 mountains-Parkmon, Gillmore, and Sargeant. It was a 5 mile loop and quite the climb at times. We crossed a few little rivers and climbed all over rocks and waterfalls. It was beautiful and well worth it. I am SO glad that we did it and that I didn't complain at all:) We ate in the town that night at Ruboneti's and really enjoyed it. We stayed there for many many hours until we moved over to the night hot spot and got a good taste of the locals.

apparently I flail my arms a lot when hiking. I was also told I put my arms above my head, but luckily that was not captured.

trailing behind...flailing my arms.

One night we went to Thurston's for dinner and I had my first ever real lobster that I cracked all by myself.

The next day we rented bikes and took them into the park and road on the Carriage Roads that the Rockefeller's originally built for their carriages. We did a little 6 mile loop and then there was an additional 12 miler. I did the 6 mile and then only like 4 of the 12 miler. It was probably the best choice for us to have me stop at Jordan Pond and get coffee and have E power through and go back and get the car. If I had kept going-we would still have the bikes because those uphills are crazy hard and after the hike-my legs were ready to turn to jello. By the time E picked me up, I was happily drinking coffee and chatting with a German couple. That night, we made lobster and steaks and ate them at our house. We wanted to actually make our own lobsters and tried to buy them live, but there was a slight misunderstanding and we ended up with cooked lobsters that we took home.

Friday morning, our last morning in Acadia, we went up to Cadillac Mountain for the sunrise. It was AMAZING. It was well-worth the cold, the drive, and the early morning wake-up. It was def. around 0 degrees with the windchill.

freezing....

but so worth it.

sooooooo cold.

After the sunrise-we continued down the East Coast and stopped in Boston. We checked into the hotel and quickly T-ed it over to Fenway Park for a tour. Fenway was really interesting. It was fun to see all the famous parts of it and hear about the traditions. I do love traditions.

We hopped back on the T and went to the Boston Public Gardens/Boston Commons. I wanted to see the Make Way for Ducklings statues so I could take a picture for my kiddos. We couldn't find them and I was not feeling so hot which all of this combined was the perfect scenario for a Brittany Meltdown. It was fixed quickly with a cup of coffee and we even found the statues so I was much much better. We walked over to the bar Cheers for a quick little photo shoot and then followed the Freedom Trail. We took the Freedom Trail not only for its historical purposes, but more importantly Mike's Pastry was on it. It was here that E waited outside because he said that there were 450 women swarming over the sweets and I was def. one of them. Mike's was one of the places that was on the top of my must see in Boston. Why? The pastries/cannoli's were just that good. After dessert, we proceeded to go to the oldest pub in America for dinner. After dinner/drinks/live music, we ended up meeting up with my friend, Jordan Zandi from Taylor. It is always nice to see Taylor friends!

I really enjoyed being in Boston and would even consider living there one day. Definitely on Beacon Hill though.

We left Boston in time to drive to Philly for the LSU v Florida game. We met Julia at a bar to watch the game and obviously eat dinner and since she is such a foodie we ate at a really great place. After the game, we drove down to DC and stayed with Ann and Joel and went out in the booming metropolis of Woodbridge. We always have fun with them. The next morning, E so graciously drove me to Richmond and dropped me off so I could see my parents for a few days. It was funny-driving in the northeast we didn't see any accidents or crazy drivers(except myself) but a soon as we got back to good ole VA there were 6 or so BIG accidents.

Overall, It was a great week of traveling and I am glad that I was able to see the Northeast in October with all my white haired friends. I am proud to say this time we were not robbed at gunpoint.

geneva. a little class. please.

2011-10-12T23:44:00.002-04:00

After I spent a wonderful weekend celebrating Ashley, I took a 2 week hiatus from wedding related activities and then picked up with Sarah Edwards' Bachelorette in OHIO.

I flew into Akron/Canton and literally thought I fell backwards in time about 30 years. Trista (co-maid) picked me up and we went to have dinner with the family. I got to see John (Sarah's husband to be) which was nice since the last time I saw him was over New Years. After dinner, we went grocery shopping for the weekend and then picked up Lauren Lynn Walton George from the airport all the way from the great state of TEXAS. On Friday morning, we packed up the car and headed out for the beach. When I planned this little party-I was thinking beach, like East Coast beach. I was in for a treat when we rolled up to Geneva on the Lake, in Ohio. THe beach was interesting, but more interesting than the beach were the people and the little strip of bars/rest.

Everyone started to arrive at the cottage that afternoon and we started off the party with a bang! We went to dinner and then out on the town. (If you knew more about Geneva you would find that pretty hilarious.

everyone loves skinny girls

geneva on the lake ladies and gentleman.

sexy little bride.

my favorite texan.

annie wanted some mj love.

On Saturday, we went on a wine tour through the Ohio Wine Valley. Very classy my friends...very classy. We ended our wine tour at dinner at one of the vineyards, went back for a power hour, and then out again on the town. You see there is such a thing as the Lake Geneva Monster Crawl and you had to frequent 9 institutions. At the end of the 9, there was a prize. We LOVE prizes...even if they are ugly tshirts.

classy wine tour in the ohio valley

college roommates.

Sunday was our beach day, but it was rainy. We hung out around the house, had Sarah's lingerie shower, ate a ton of food, made dinner, and then watched movies. On Monday, everyone ended up going their separate ways.

Sarah's Bachelorette was amazing and I am so thankful that we were able to get our group of friends together and really spend time with her before her wedding!

opps. I did it. again.

2011-10-11T14:43:00.003-04:00

I neglected the blog. Opps. Since getting back from China I have been crazy crazy busy, but really that seems to be my life and not an excuse.

In August, I went to Britt used to be Hayes' wedding with Michelle is Raleigh. We had a blast!

Currently, I can't find any of my pictures...

The next weekend I left to celebrate the one and only ASHLEY

after the monsoon

at the spa

lunch on the way home

We went to Asheville for the weekend and stayed in a beautiful mountain house! We went out on the town and then ended up at the Spa at Biltmore Village. Ironically, the cast from the Hunger Games also frequented this spa. This is exciting on various levels as I loved every single word of those 3 books-soon-to-be-movies.

Ashley is one of my favorite people in this world and I always have a blast with her. She is such a supportive friend and truly is one of the most thoughtful people I know. I am honored to be in her wedding and can't wait until 11.11.11!!!!

Happy Bachelorette Ash!

Chinese Saga Conclusion

2011-09-01T15:25:00.001-04:00

I have a few excuses as to why it took me so long to get this blog up, but I will not even begin to explain. :)

I believe I left off with Karaoke. Our group went to Karaoker (as the Chinese like to say) with the Education Bureau high ups. When you do Karaoke in China, your whole party is in one room. You have touch screens to pick your songs and then a tv to sing along with. There are 2 mics and we had a blast. All of our papperozi was there and we alternated singing Lady Gaga to Wong Faye (the Chinese speciality). After the Bureau had enough dancing with the Americans, Charles had them taken home and then he took Erika, Sarah, and I out for "snacks." People in China never sleep. They only rest from 12-2 in the afternoon. Our snack was lobster and pumpkin cakes and quickly became our favorite meal.

I lost all track of time and days when we got here so I am not sure what happened next, but we have finally finished up school. I really enjoyed the education aspect of modeling best practices and talking to the Chinese teachers about it, but as far as teaching the Chinese students it was pretty tough. I had a lot of kids in my class and they were out of control, I ended up getting a new assistant June at the end and she was great! She came because she wanted her twins, Happy and Honey, to be a part of the program. We had an open house and gradution on the last day! My face hurt from smiling so much for the camera. I would never want to be famous. We gave away our teaching supplies and then that night they had a program for us where we got presents and certificates from the Culture Society and the Edu. Bureau. They sang and danced traditional Chinese pieces for us...Sarah even felt "moved" to do a little number after the middle school boy dancers. Ha! She actually was forced, but did better than any of us would have done!

We went to a town in the same province on our free day and saw how china is made. It was a ceramics factory and was pretty neat. We met the mayor of Liling and had lunch with her. It was very beautiful..all handpainted. Afterwards, we (E, S, and B) went to Charles' house for dinner. His wife, Alice made a feast and we ate with their family. She made pigs feet for us and we did try. I picked it up with my chopsticks...Erika tried to bite into it, but it was a failed attempt.

There were a few nights that we were not feeling very good so we were in bed pretty early. I think one day I took a 7 hour nap because I felt so sick. The jackhammer outside my window didn't even keep me awake. Captain keeps telling us its because of our air conditioning, but we assure him that it is not it. We have pinpointed a potential illness cause as an abundance of msg. Never fear....we are all on the mend.

A couple of nights we have snuck out for "snacks" with Charles and his friends. Lobster is always a good midnight craving. He is the only one who speaks English so often we are just trying to keep up. I have picked up more Chinese than I think I ever did of German (doesn't say alot). InChina, there are 4 tones to each sound and that means that there can be quite a few mess ups when you are trying to say something and get the wrong tone. Last night, after dinner we walked to the fountains in the town square and then Charles took us out for ice cream and then to play pool. We were the only girls in the hall...apparently women in China don't play pool.

I think we are up to 3 massages now since they are SO inexpensive. They also take quite a bit of professional freedom, which makes Erika, Sarah, and I laugh the entire massage. Not quite as relaxing as American ones.

We went shopping yesterday at the "walmart on payday with a terrible marshalls twist times a million" and finsihed up all of our shopping. Tomorrow we are headed to the mountains about 5 hours away. It is one of the famous mountain ranges in China. The pictures are amazing and we can't wait to go. You can hike or there are cable cars that run up the mountain and then there is a niagara looking waterfall. Once we get back from that adventure, we will pretty much hop on a plane and then what will feel like 40 hours later we will be home.

Can't wait to see everyone!

Brittany

China Part 3

2011-08-16T22:49:00.000-04:00

FYI-my harddrive crashed the week after I got back and it has been slow going getting my pictures back. I still have a file that needs to be retrieved from my hard drive. Any suggestions?

Sorry for the delay.

Do-Re-Mi's Adventures Part 3! (Erika, Sarah, and Brittany)

On our "FREE" day we went to the market. It was like Walmart on payday with a terrible TJMAXX twist times a million. First we went to the clothing market. Zhu Zhou is known for their clothes. I was not very impressed. Obviously, the Chinese are very tiny so it was tough to buy clothes for our American group. I got a dress, but not a traditional one. The clothing mart reminded me of horse stalls with each stall being a different store.

We left the market and went to the next market and got some souvenirs. I had one mission and one mission alone and that was to find pearls. We finally did on the 7th floor of this market. We bought out one stall and ran out of time I will not leave this country until we go back because I have some more pearls to buy and some other random gifts. It is a good thing that we have an empty suitcase coming back with us that will house all my shopping trips and gifts the Chinese give us. They shower us daily with gifts...nice ones too.

We went to a teacher's house for lunch which was the first delicious Chinese meal we have had (in my opinion). We stuffed our faces and then had to leave for the Zhu Zhou city museum. It was actually really neat because it was a very intricately designed city built for industry. This city specializes missles, railways, metals, and clothing. After the museum we went to an Elementary school to get a tour and then that principal treated us to a Traditional Tea Ceremony.

Principals here have a sweet deal...I am thinking maybe America missed the boat in how Principal's should be treated. Here they have drivers and really nice cars. They are driven around everywhere and they only have to go to school for 1 month to learn how to be a principal. I thought Queens being only 2 years was short!

We went to the tea ceremony and it was a lot of fun! A lot of tea drinking. It was very formal. Afterwards, we went to one of Charles' friend's house for dinner. They taught us how to make dumplings. We made a ton of dumplings and they were SO delicious. The house we went to was this really cute teacher and her husband and little boy. She showed us her wedding album. Here in China before you get married you go to a Glamour Shots for wedding dresses. It was hilarious. All the pictures are then turned into a board book basically that is on display at your house. I am glad that America doesn't have that tradition---way too cheesy.

That was our "free day." We were more exhausted than a day of teaching.

The next day Charles picked Do-Re-Mi up for school because we always run late so he knows that if he picks us up we will be there on time. He told us that he canceled the meeting we had that night and that we had a free night and dinner would be delivered to our room. The 3 of us started planning out getaway.

After school, Charles surprised all of us with a massage! It was wonderful! One of the student's parents paid for all of us. The massages all take place in the same room on bed like chairs about a foot apart. The massage was 70 minutes, was about 30 minutes of a foot massage and cost 38 yuan--which is about $5. Crazy. At one point, I lost it because I looked over and the guy was kneeling on top of Sarah. I came out with bruises because of their strength, but it felt great! We are heading back there after school today! THey said we couldn't come every day because it would hurt our body...after I saw my bruises I knew why.

That night we snuck Her into our room after massages and asked her if she wanted to go out with us. She happily agreed, but we knew if we told everyone else that our little adventure would turn into a huge group outing. So, we snuck out. We grabbed a taxi and headed for Pizza Hut. Rebels...we know. It sounds so small and ridiculous, but we were A. happy to get a break from the huge group B. happy to get to know Her more and C. eat PIZZA!

Last night, we took a trip down to the river where there is a park and we hung out for awhile. Then they gave us all traditional Kung Fu shirts and we learned Kung Fu from a Master on a stage in front of the river. There was quite the crowd. I mean picture 11 Americans dancing around in traditional Chinese gear doing something that comes so easily to the Chinese.

We walked along the river and then Charles took us home! Tonight we have a forum for the teachers again!

One of our favorite things about China.

The Shirtless Wonders!

2011-08-08T22:06:00.000-04:00

China posts are put on hold (1. my computer crashed and pics are mia at the moment and 2. there are more important things to be doing right now)

I would like to introduce you to Janelle Hayes. She is my adopted mom.

Ken and her went to Taylor maybe 25 years before me, but the Taylor community is big and loving and they are the prime example of the Taylor community.

The community is what made me love Taylor and part of the Taylor community has contributed to my love of Charlotte.

Before I ever moved down here, I emailed the alumni in the Charlotte area seeking advice. Janelle was one of the only people who emailed me back...it led into a series of emails. In the end, she offered up Ken's muscles to help me move in (to my 3rd floor apartment).

I met Ken and Janelle mid August 2006 and ever since I met them I have been a part of their family. Come to find out, we actually met before that day but I will let Ken tell that part of the story. He loves sharing this story.

Ken and Janelle have been my family and my friends over the past 5 years. I remember specifically the day that Ken told me I was family and I was welcome anytime and I knew he meant it. I remember having a really bad Saturday night and showing up on their doorstep, crying, and they said to get in the car we were going to get ice cream and then come back for dinner. I have slept on their couch, taped over their favorite shows on dvr (by accident), sifted through the millions gallons of ice cream they keep in the freezer, and drank glass after glass of tea with Janelle. My parents hang out with them in Charlotte and any city they randomly meet up in and stay with them when they come visit. Janelle taught me how to make the most amazing banana bread that keeps my yard mowed, she makes me beautiful cards and tags celebrating every milestone in my life, she cooked me dinner every Monday where Ken often had to put up with either boy drama or us swapping school talk.

Janelle is a beautiful woman who loves her family and the Lord in a way that I would love to emulate.

She is going through a tough time right now and I am praying that we all see it through.

Janelle is my adopted mom and I love her.

If you want to follow her story...you can here.

I know she would appreciate your encouragement.

你好

2011-07-27T12:54:00.000-04:00

China Part 1:

你好 (hello),

So, there will probably be very few blog posts. I can't really write anything because in China there is NO social media anywhere. No blogs, no facebook, no twitter. I mean I even turned off the data connection on my phone.

I have started writing this email multiple times, but always end up taking a "rest."

Our 4th of July...We didnt really celebrate it. It was our first day over here and I don't remember much of that day. We were exhausted. We had been traveling for a day and a half-close to 40 hours without any real sleep. So, the first day they picked us up from the airport and welcomed us with flowers and then we (Sarah Erika and I) got in a car with Charles (who works for the govt org. that brought us over) and he gots us lost in the car for about 2 hours. We got a nice tour of Changsha.

right off the plane after the 34 hour trip. excited to be in china not sure what to expect.

please excuse the disgusting hair. flowers brought by Her, Katherine, and Charles

Our leader Nolan really wanted us to wear our official shirts-we fought our battle, sucked it up and put on the tacky shirt.

Charles met us with water (wahaha) and wild tiger (a one thing fits all type of medicine)

The program started on Tuesday and it crazy. The kids were OUT OF CONTROL. They speak little English, but they are smart and quick learners. They are amazing artists and have the most beautiful handwriting. They know how to spell in English. What they don't know how to do is listen. We each have 3 teacher assistants (so NICE!) but they don't always come to our rescue. Teaching is pretty lax here...teachers answer their phones in the middle of class. They only teach 3 subjects and then plan the rest of the day. They are all very excited for us to be here and want to accomodate us in any way possible. For example, my assistant brings me breakfast and Sarah's assistant brings us hot tea every day made from flowers. They are often telling us to take a rest. The kids behavior is interesting since we were all under the impression that their education system leaned toward the militant side. What we are working with is nothing like robotic children, but very loud, energetic kids. At times their robotic ways shine through, like when they recite things, or answer questions, or show us kung fu moves.

There are a few kids that had us pick their English names (only boys though). We have encountered many hilarious Chinglish names. Her, Handsome, If, Crystile, Icy.

The program is the first ever and it is a huge deal. The city we are in brought us over and even though we are working with Beijing University we are modeling for the whole town. So teachers all over. Today, we had so many tv crews here and I probably had someone in my room taking pictures and videoing 80% of the day. Slightly daunting. It feels like the papperozi is here in China...cameras everywhere!

the tv crew, observing teachers, and paparazzi

my crazy crazy chinese class

the paparazzi-justin (named after justin beiber by S, E, and myself)

the dynamic duo-our first chinese boyfriends.

Tonight we had a forum with the teachers from the whole city. Benton Heights got a quite a bit of air time and lots of laughs. As always, we are an eccentric school with a bunch of crazies. The Chinese loved the videos I shot of my American kiddos. I could go on and tell you about the men who don't wear shirts or the babies whose butts hang out of their clothes or how last n ight we had dinner with the President of the university and he took shots of wine all night but I will save those stories for a different night.

Love you all,

Britt

Happy Birthday!

2011-07-15T08:00:00.001-04:00

Oh sweet Georgia Ave, you turn 2 today!

Or 72 if we are really counting.

When I first laid eyes on you...you were disgusting and ugly.

I have never seen more dirt and filth in my life.

The owner wasn't sure anyone would ever see past the dirt and the smell of the renters and want to buy you.

But along came a 24 year girl who really wanted a house near the city...

and this girl could never visualize anything until she met you.

This was the focal piece of your future existence.

The day we closed on each other was the best day of your life (and Ann and Julia's).

Our fingers were pruny from scrubbing with undiluted purple power...

and our noses hurt from smelling years of steamed collard greens and other awful smelling foods.

Don't let the smiles fool you...we were more happy to be together than cleaning up this foul smelling house.

They were troopers.

They win the best friends of the year award.

My parents also judged you, but they came down to give you a fresh coat of paint and try to make you a little more liveable.

Nobody thought you were great...everyone wanted to give up on you.

Except for me.

I wanted you.

Because I could see that you had potential.

There were plenty of days where I came and laid on your scratched up not yet refinished floors and cried. This happened the day I came home from work and there was a huge hole in my floor.

And the day that the bathroom cabinet wouldn't be painted (bc it was faux wood).

But most days I cold see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Like when this floor was refinished and tiled.

There were a few setbacks. Like the day before school started and I got mad at your ugly faux painted wood and I took a crowbar to the wall and ended up with a hole that I didn't know how to fix.

But soon you were fixed and I had exactly what I wanted and I learned how to sheetrock.

A beautiful bathroom.

a livable living room

a kitchen of my dreams

shelves made it look oh so pretty

and a living room that begged me to come live in it.

So I did.

Georgia Ave. I saw your potential. I loved you and still do. You made me a homeowner and taught me things that I never would have thought I could do.

I am so thankful for you and I wouldn't trade you for any cookie cutter house in the burbs anyday.

Happy Birthday Georgia Ave.

Enjoy. Eric and Didi draw the seasons.

2011-07-06T09:18:00.002-04:00

We have ARRIVED!

2011-07-02T17:38:00.000-04:00

This adventure started at 4pm when Ashley picked Sarah and I and our 4 suitcases and dropped us off at the airport!

We are SO excited to get this adventure started!

I will say it is very nice traveling with your friends...

Josh wins boyfriend of the year and dropped E off at the airport as well!

He happily took pictures for us and everyone LOVED our We Love America headbands!

We made it threw security. whew.

Our flight to LA was good, pretty long since we left at 8:30 and got in at 11ish LAX time, but to us it was close to 2 in the morning. Our next flight didn't leave until 1am so that was about 4am our time. It was a long stretch with a lot of transfering of stuff, people, etc. I have a double ear infection so the flight was particularly uncomfortable for me, but we made it...grabbed McDonalds and hopped on the Korean Airlines Plane to Seoul, Korea.

This is from Leg 1 of the trip!

Korean Air treats you right. They tell you when to wake up and when to sleep. They feed you every 5 minutes, bring you juice every 10, and we even had 2 meals. I couldn't eat the first meal...It was "dinner" and to me it was like 6am. I suffered through the beginning of the flight with an ear that felt like knives were stabbing it and then I took a double dose of Tylenol PM and knocked myself out for a solid 5 hours. When I woke up...my ear felt great and I had pineapple juice and cake waiting for me!

This is the Omelette and Continental Breakfast options! Not too shabby KA. Also, they bring around hot towels and gave out slippers to wear around the plane.

I wore them around when I walked my laps into Morning Calm so that I was not a candidate for blood clots from flying:) Thanks ER for warning me again.

One of the delish marble cakes and my sweet platypus water bottle.

Hello! We are in Korea now! We made it...3 movies later, 5 hours of (not for some) sleeping, and a ton of food later.

Welcome to Korea!

E was worried that she might have to go into quarantine.

The Korean airport is pretty spiffy, very clean, no squatties, and free internet. All things I love.

A few things I am so thankful I brought:

my platypus water bottle that folds write up and takes up NO space

my new REI camping feather pillow

my dad's kindle (thank you papa!)

Read: Hunger Games Book 1 and Outliers

stay tuned for the next post...we are china bound in a few hours.

Sarah and I set up a little camp on the airport chairs to try to get a few hours of sleep before we go!

Love to all.

all packed and ready to go.

2011-06-30T21:29:00.000-04:00

well kinda.

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master tonic?

2011-06-30T10:32:00.000-04:00

Meet Bambi. The best bodywork therapist in the world and great friend as well.

This morning after I limped into breakfast (after having some work done last night) I choked out to Bambi that my worst fear was coming true.

I could barely swallow and my ears were ringing off the hook.

This can not be because I am about to get on a 30 hour flight to China and will spend a month in China land.

As I pull out 6 pills to take....Bambi's answer is Master Tonic. She swears by it. I wouldn't let her tell me what was in it because I was afraid I would chicken out...

(it looks and smells disgusting like a spicy disgusting)

I will barrel through this though. Here is my cup of Master tonic and my chaser of water.

Down it goes. I closed my eyes and prayed I wouldn't lose my breakfast in her sink.

(always a real possibility in my life)

To be honest...I actually feel better. Totally mental, but when I am not sick at all I may be mixing my own master tonic...horse radish, garlic, fermented apple cider vinegar and all.

On a side note: Ashley's finance is the best! He called me while I was in RVA and said "we have had a lot of storms lately...can I please clean out your gutters and roof." I traded those services for dinner and beer and now I have a clean roof, gutters, and deck!

p.s. I think I should buy a ladder. Next round of credit card points...said ladder will be mine.

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third times a charm....right?

2011-06-28T16:24:00.000-04:00

I was thinking back on a few of my past adventures and realized although I love traveling, I had some serious and not so serious mishaps. Hopefully, this is not a continuing pattern for my impending trip.

Mishap #1:

A few Octobers ago, I took a road trip to Canada with a friend. I had a wedding on the VA Rivah and I drove up to DC very early the morning after the wedding. I would venture to say once we got on the road from DC in our sweet rental car I was in and out of conciousness because it had been a late night and a long few weeks. E drove most of the way up to Canada with maybe (I can admit this) an hour or so of "Brittany Driving Time." We stopped right outside of Canada on the NY border around 11 or so for our last American gas fill up and I completely conked out. E equated it to me being drugged. I couldn't even hold my head up and I was completely out of it. He shook me awake as he drove up to border patrols crossing into Canada on our way to Quebec City. I tried to pull myself together and handed him our passports which he handed over to the customs guard. I had never driven a car across a border, but apparently you have to declare things and answer questions just like you do flying except the questions are specific. The guard lady asked a few questions and I could not hear her so I just echoed what E said or threw my own spin on it (Yes, I live in NC). I am sure I mumbled and I looked completely out of it. All I knew was I needed to answer the questions so that the lady would give me back my passport, the gun guard wouldn't search my car, and I could go back to sleep. I must not have heard Eric answer the last question because I didn't repeat what he said. Here's how it went down:

Lady-blah blah blah...Yes or No(in a thick French accent that I couldn't understand)

Me-Yes!

Eric-Oh NO! Ma'am NO...Brittany why would you....She has NEVER had a felony.

Me-OH that is what you asked?!?!! NO no felony.

Maybe the lady got a kick out of my answer or she really liked my Meanies (Jow Cowley fans) hair or she felt really bad for E who had to deal with me all week, but they let us through and they didn't search our car or kick me out of the country.

As soon as we crossed through into Canada...I was out like a light. For the next 6 hours. Poor E.

(sidenote: I have always had a hard time understanding thick accents)

Mishap #2:

I went to Puerto Rico which was the first mistake. To spare you the all the details, we wrecked (minor accident) our rental car and we were robbed at gunpoint. It made for an interesting trip back into the States without any money or an id.

Let's hope the third times a charm?!?!

Here's to hoping for an incident free month in China!

future career?

2011-06-27T12:40:00.002-04:00

wine guru vs. barber

On Thursday my friend Ann drove down from DC for the weekend. We normally have a reunion every few months, but ALWAYS in the summer and typically it involves a baseball game.

select picture summary

my favorite cups in this world.

clearly only a best friend would scrub your disgusting house the day you close on it.

on one of our many adventures.

Ok-back to this past weekend! Annie and I drove to Charlottesville and went wine tasting. I think we would make great travel reviewers for vineyards. We can swish our wine with the best of them.

Happy to finally have time to have real conversations

and beautiful wine country aka "God's county"

Annie and I went enjoyed the patio, fine food, classy jazz, and sunned ourselves at the pool all day on Saturday. Then she had to go back to DC to run a 9 miler up a mountain training run. I tried to talk to her into staying, but no dice.

Eric made his first appearance back in my life since the robbery in Puerto Rico. Apparently, it was a traumatic experience. Eric decided he wanted a hair cut. I googled how to give a buzz cut and read the directions 50 times and at that point decided it was time to practice my new found skills.

Here he is praying that he doesn't end up with blood dripping down his face or a bald spot.

Not pictured: me praying we would still be friends after this.

Pre Haircut: already very short.

my parents didn't have faith in me either...

the result. a 3, 2, 1 buzz

next time I will work on my blending between the different razor lengths.

overall. I think it was a pretty successful "cool summer" haircut.

BUT

I should probably keep my day job.

the easy life?

2011-06-22T18:39:00.002-04:00

E and I had to make up our hours at school for our China trip last week. So once the building closed, the air was turned off, and the floors were starting to get waxed....E and I started our China planning and organizing.

After I set up my bulletin boards...

and put together my first week of first grade lesson plans.

complete with a ready to assemble pencil box clearly labeled...the poor sub my day one lessons are 7 pages long. eeeeekkkk.

E and I were finally ready to write some sweet China plans. They are finished along with all the powerpoints and materials list and finally I think we are ready for this fast approaching adventure.

she is always ready. it was really me. no shame there.

On to Raleigh/Duke Chapel to see the famous city/farm couple get hitched.

Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Kemper Beasley III

Sister in law to my lovely college roommate.

Yes. I am/was Lauren Walton's roommate.

Who is sister to the most hilarious girl I have ever met. Jenny Walton.

We had a great time and a lot of laughs.

Of course, I met George Senior.

Right after this picture was taken we struck up a conversation and I should have just asked him straight up to get in my picture. Again.

I am a chicken in a lot of areas in my life.

Of couse, something disasterous would happen on Georgia Ave while I was gone. Sketchy Bill, Bruce, and Tim (yes its a tri-plex) had a tree fall directly on top of Natalie's car. Poor crushed volkswagon. Impressive engineering though.

Nate couldn't get out of his driveway for awhile due to a few live wires so we were all pretty neighborly and grabbed dinner and drinks and laughed about the situation.

FINALLY

to Richmond I go!

I drove home and what do I find, but my sweet mama got me flowers.

and my sweet papa made sure I had a cool backpack for my adventures.

and this is their new patio. where i have been living.

my parents went green and they compost:) Now I know where I got it from!

This is where I have spent about 90% of my time. Picture it at night...the trees light up and some of the stones...

In fact, the feast I am cooking right now and the birthday celebration I am about to have will take place right here.

All. Night. Long.

This is the easy life.

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a juggling goodbye

2011-06-15T23:24:00.000-04:00

My friend Michelle posted this post about juggling and I was thinking today about how I feel like I juggle kids, adults, paperwork, classes, relationships, balance, etc. all day...every day.

Today I made dinner for a dear friend who is moving back to Ohio this weekend. I remember the day that I met her. I remember thinking "she looks nice but I doubt we have anything in common." Little did I know we would become "besties" (a term she coined when I was transfered to a different school and no longer taught next door to her). She and I carpooled together everyday. We had heated debates over the presidential election, life, religion, politics at 6am everyday. She brought depth and insight into my life. She was my lifeline at Shiloh and was the best friend there was the day I found out I was moving to BH. She repacked my room as I furiously ripped things off the wall and threw everything on the floor. She calmed me down as I sobbed in the hallway. She moved all my crap and helped me set up my room and the whole time made me laugh by telling me that I was going to replace her with a new bestie.

(Funny. I love BH more than I ever knew I could and she and I joke about the differences all the time.)

I remember waiting at the hospital for days waiting for her to have her sweet babe and then finally getting to hold sweet Hayley. Hayley was so tiny and I felt like I was part of the family. I was a proud aunt. Once she came home from the hospital, I came over to hold the babe and feel asleep with Hayley in my arms. I feel in love with that baby from the minute I ever held her.

I remember the day that I got a call from her in the middle of the night wailing that her husband was leaving. I talked to her all night and all morning as I got ready to leave for the mountains for a wedding (ironic). I packed up the car and sleeplessly got in the car and started driving towards the western part of the state. I remember thinking that I needed gas, but would stop closer to SC because it was less expensive. Still on the phone with her, I stopped at a gas station and could not find my wallet...my purse...any form of money. I panicked. I left my wallet/purse at home and I was halfway to the mountains, out of gas, and without any money or id. She drove with her 4 month old baby to come pick me up and give me money so I could buy gas and run back to my house to get my forgotten wallet.

I have walked through her life (with her) and have learned so much. I am so thankful for her. She has single handedly raised a little girl. When we are out she lets me hold the baby and take all the credit. She lets me pretend that the baby is mine and when every one tells me what I beautiful baby I have and I say thank you ...she cracks up.

What a sweet friend I have. I cherish our friendship. One of honesty, reality, and tough conversations. She challenges me and I will miss her. She didn't believe me that I got pooly on the way to work yesterday, but I did.

Back to the juggling. Everyone juggles something. MB juggles divorce, a job, and a baby. I juggle grad school, teaching, volunteering, and relationships. Just like I juggled trying to not overcook the corn, let the mushrooms sweat enough, and not burn the zucchini and squash. You can't even see the chicken that I was grilling on the deck. Isn't that similar to life though? There is always something that people are juggling that you can't really see. This week I was struggling and I couldn't really verbalize why, but I was snappy, quick to lose my temper, and in complete panic mode. It just took one person to stop and ask what was really going on to snap me out of it all.

Lately, I feel like I juggle too much and so much goes untouched. I am not a good enough friend, I am not being the best teacher I can be, I am not being active in pursuing new friendships, I am not prepared enough, my house isn't clean enough, the Y wouldn't recognize me anymore, or I am not volunteering enough at church.

I. am. doing. the. best. I. can.

So, juggling may not be my forte but right now I think all the balls are successfully in the air.

whew.

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iv of caffeine please.

2011-06-02T22:21:00.001-04:00

weekend one.

what: first book gala 2011

where: providence country club

with: eric

why: to raise funds and awareness that not all children grow up with access to books at home coupled with the importance of early literacy

I am pretty sure E's alternate name is Mr. GQ

(courtesy of mason and michelle photography)

the gala was great. we had a blast with the BH/BB&T crew.

my friends. i am so thankful for them.

the attempted rockstar pictures...clearly E has it down, but I struggle.

(not pictured: driving to RIC the next am for AJ's graduation and graduation party)

(coming soon)

weekend 2

what: taylor girls fly in for charlotte fun and mountain retreat

why: relaxing weekend needed by all, but i have amazing friends who realized when I was about to lose it and they came to rescue

where: the queen city and montreat/asheville, north carolina

who: sarah and sarah

hiking mount mitchell

incredible.

corny. but cute.

thanks for flying out to see me.

happy hike.

weekend 3.

what: absolutely nothing

when: the entire weekend

why: because I need to cool it before I go on anxiety meds

post to come: fragmenting your life: pros and cons

Gala Week!

2011-05-18T19:43:00.001-04:00

my speech from last year's gala.

really excited for Friday and all the possibilities it brings.

J* is a student in my second grade class at Benton Heights Elementary School. He comes from a single parent, Spanish speaking home. When he enrolled in our school as a kindergartner he was unable to speak English. He worries daily about whether his family will have food or whether the electric bill will be paid. I don’t know about you, but I didn’t have to worry about the electric bill until I bought my first house this year.

Despite the challenging circumstances at home, J comes in every day ready to give me a hug. He is a friend to everyone and laughs easily. And while he struggles with reading, he excels in math – in fact, he had one of the top scores in the second grade.

At the beginning of the year, I sit down with each student and set a goal. My goal is to empower each child – to help them realize that they can work hard and achieve goals they set for themselves. J's goal was to become a reader – a voracious reader. Every day I encouraged him to keep practicing at home and reminding him that his goal was within reach.

In Title 1, low income schools, students are required to keep daily reading logs. Each child needs to read thirty minutes at home each day and record what they read. Early in the year, J brought his reading log to my desk. In the space meant to record the book title, he had recorded a soup can label. It caught me off guard – what child would read a soup can for their thirty minute reading practice?

Problem is, J doesn’t have books at home. And he doesn’t have any way to access them, but he was so focused on reaching his goal that he read the back of a soup can label.

How can we require something we don’t have the resources to support? At school we are rich in resources. We have classrooms of school supplies, a library full of books, and teachers available to support learning in every room. At home, many students don’t have the resources to access books, even though reading practice is a requirement. In many cases, their parents are illiterate.

I have one year – one year to inspire twenty kids to reach their goals. One year to empower them to be successful. One year to ignite their passion for reading. I only have one chance to provide my influence in their lives. The most important thing I can do is to provide them with a long term resource – that’s what First Book did for my class this year.

First Book’s mission is to give children from low income families the opportunity to read and own their first books. In the last three years, First Book-Charlotte has distributed more than 80,000 brand new books to children in Mecklenburg and Union counties. Three weeks ago today, 370 children at my school received six books each, and the students are given books based on their individual reading level, to ensure successful reading habits at home. The sponsors and donors from last year’s Gala made it possible for these kids to bridge the gap between reading at school and reading at home – creating a lifestyle of literacy.

In the coming school year, First Book-Charlotte wants to distribute another 50,000 books to children in the Charlotte metro area – but we can’t do it without your help. My second graders on the video said it best – they want to be challenged and they need the resources. They already love learning. It is now our opportunity, tonight in this room, to empower them through the gift of a book, and be a part of creating the next generation of readers…

(He is such a studmuffin that I can't stand it)

*to date FB-C has granted a total of 166, 973 books

*in the past year (since last years gala) we granted 65, 470 books

life as I knew it.

2011-05-15T22:12:00.001-04:00

It was 90's day at school because we want to be a 90/90/90 school.

90% Poverty, 90% ESL, 90% On Grade Level

Benton Heights WILL be THIS!

Here is my favorite little munchkin.

What is this world coming to?

I do secretly hate (love) the song Never Say Never.

feeding the ducks with hayley bailey.

Loving my life.

Until tomorrow when I start 4 classes in 5 weeks and finish up the 2nd grade school year.

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addicted.

2011-05-06T23:29:00.001-04:00

Wednesday: "Miss Slagle were you so tired that you didn't put on your makeup this morning?"

Thursday (90's throw back): "Miss Slagle that BRIGHT BLUE eye shadow is so pretty. You look so pretty with pink cheeks and lots of blue paint on your eyes."

Lovely we have such opposite tastes.

a few years ago a friend introduced me to something that I quickly became obsessed with...

Trish McEvoy

I went in to refill my foundation and mascara (hands down best mascara EVER) and ended up walking out with this

Now, I realize I am only 26, but I have been told by multiple people that I should start preserving my skin now. I just don't ever want to look back and say "I wish I had bought that eye cream that day at the mall when I was 26."

When I first started teaching, it was such an adjustment (esp in Union Co) that I would go to bed very early. A friend of mine used to refer to me as Grandma and would ask me if I wore cold cream yet. I always denied it and denied the need for it until NOW. It was joking matter then, but not anymore:)

I have an obsession with beautifying/freeing things. For example, I love the idea of ear candling. I have never done it, but the thought of a good ear cleaning is interesting to me. Is that odd? I also love the feeling of massage (obviously it feels good) because I like the feeling of "releasing toxins from my body." I like getting my hair cut because it just feels healthier. The more I write this the more strange I realize I sound. I am also an easy sell (for somethings, but all things Trish). Trish talked me into the vitamin C and I want it to reduce the puffiness and the black circles from getting 5 hours of sleep a night.

So call me Grandma or make fun of my eye cream, I don't care. I can own it.

1% Changes

2011-05-04T22:21:00.000-04:00

Making too many changes is overwhelming, but making 1% changes each week makes it sustainable and much much easier.

Here is my first week of 1% changes. I joined a CSA. Thank you Absolute Organics. For 30 big ones I got ALL of this amazingly organic fruits and veggies AND it was delivered to my DOOR.

2 days before my box came, I got a list of the items in the box with suggested recipes. Tonight, I made sweet potato black bean enchiladas. They were delicious. If I made them again though I would add a spicier salsa.

Super easy. Super healthy. Super 1% Change.

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naptime diaries: MOTHERLOAD GIVEAWAY.

2011-05-04T09:38:00.000-04:00

I LOVE THIS BLOG and ALL of the item giveaways.

naptime diaries: MOTHERLOAD GIVEAWAY.: "Here it is, friends. The day I've been waiting for, for quite some time. Let the massive Mother's Day motherload giveaway begin! Here a..."

how firm a foundation.

2011-05-03T21:42:00.000-04:00

I talk to my parents everyday on the way to school. Well, almost everyday because now they have to be healthy and fit and go to the gym while I drive to work and I am money wise and carpool to work some days. Our typical conversations are either: A. "Hi. I am on my way to work. I am exhausted. I am envisioning my car running into the car in front of me I am so tired...so let me concentrate and drink my 32 oz. tervy tumbler of coffee." Or B. "Hey! Oh my gosh! Guess what...let me tell you what I did last night and what I learned yesterday and what are you going to do today, etc. etc."' Most of the time our conversations are more similar to Convo B. I typically have a good amount of energy in the morning and have really cherished the conversations with my parents. Many a mornings I have cried the entire way to work to them and they have listened and tried to be supportive. Some mornings, I am angry, angry, angry and they calm me down on the way in. All in all...I love talking to them in the mornings and it is something I have done regularly for 6 years now. Everyday. 6:15am. On speaker phone so BOTH of them can hear me.

All of that to explain this...One day, I was particularly excited about who knows what and I was rambling on about my latest most brilliant idea and when I stopped to take a breath, I realized that my mom had not said anything about it. My response was immediately, "Why are you not excited for this great idea I have?" Her response was jokingly...

"You always have great ideas. You are always coming up with something new. I am not sure what to get excited for."

I do plan big. I plan a lot. Sometimes it happens. Sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes it is successful and sometimes I fall flat on my face. (Uptown Hopper ring a bell? What about EB Marketing? Or Absolute Learning?)

In reflecting on my life recently and my upcoming China trip and how that came about it is ironic that on Sunday the message was about vision and dreams. It hit home. I cried. (Shocking.) So, I am going to do my best to recap it with a little bit of commentary.

Key:
David Docusen from Center City Church in Charlotte, NC
Brittany's inner thoughts and feelings

If God is who I trust in then why don't I make my plans large?
Would I lay down everything I built up in my life or prepared for and chase after Jesus?
What if that "thing" I am laying down is the only thing I am good at?

David retold the story of Noah and the ark and that the rain came after 7 days of them being in the boat. Noah built this ridiculous boat because of a dream and then got in the boat with his family and then sat there for 7 days with NO rain. (lesson: HOLD ON if I have a dream in my heart because the dream will happen-I just have to be faithful)

I dream big and often, but currently I am at a loss of what the next step in the dreaming process is. Where do I go? What do I do? How radical of a decision do I make? What if it costs me? Can I make a wrong choice? How will I know what to do?

Some of these questions I know the answers to-or at least I know the pat answers that most people give. In my life I have realized I am either 100% or not at all. Now, that can go both ways I know. I feel like this dream-my future is going to require a radical decision. Most people are not ok with that. Sometimes...I am not ok with that.

How to Chase Down Vision:
We are being strangled out with religion and we often forget everything except the true message of Christ. Chase after God. Chase after your dreams.

1 Corinthians 3:10-13 "By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.

Obviously if you read the Bible you figure out how to accomplish your dreams, but how? and what?

David gave the analogy of a building and that our dreams and visions for our lives are like an architect's building process.
1. Drawing plans
2. Building a foundation-laboring in the foundation is ok.
-we need to count the costs
-start sharing our dreams
-realize that we will be tested
3. fulfillment of the dream will be greater than the original dream.

Cautions:
-It is great to dream big dreams, but build a firm foundation
-don't be afraid to work hard
-often we may have structure in our foundation, but we are not ready to continue building
-patience

I realized that maybe for my dream I have some type of plan and foundation built and maybe some structure, but I am at a pivotal point of waiting and dreaming until I realize what else needs to be done to my foundation before I put any walls up.

The idea that the fulfillment of my dreams being greater than I imagined is refreshing. Clearly, my dreams are not only my dreams, but dreams given to me for a purpose and a reason.

Does the shoe fit?

2011-05-01T22:13:00.000-04:00

I have been searching for the perfect shoe to wear to the Gala in a few weeks. It has been a long search...

Here are the options.

Option 1: Comfy yet pricey. Maybe not fancy enough.

Option 2: Cute, comfy, cheaper than option 1 by $5 (minimal I know) but sparkly gold and I was leaning towards more neutral shoe color.

Option 3: My most favorite. I just want to wear these everyday (and be able to walk). They make me think of fancy gala shoe and cute principal suit shoe. A twofer....I don't care how much they are. Downside-quite tall and even though E is tall and I will never tower over him AND I know he would be happy to hold me up all night--I just don't trust my self. I can't stand it when girls clomp around in shoes and they don't know how to walk in them and I just can't bring myself to potentially do that as well. There is an invisible line of my stiletto capability. It lies somewhere between 3 and 3.5 inches. These 4 in heels and I could potentially not be friends and I am not sure I am willing to take that gamble.

Option 4: The price is right. The color is right. They are unique. They are low enough that I could "run" laps in them. I did test this. (Shamefully, I admit that I have them in navy and wore them for the FB distribution and ran laps around the school that morning)

So, here is where you come in. Which ones should I or did I get? Which shoe would you get?

And coming tomorrow.... a post that actually matters on vision, goals, and ambitions.

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Shall We?

2011-04-24T22:13:00.002-04:00

I almost feel like it is the first day of school and I am so nervous that I can not sleep. I made my coffee and programmed it for the ungodly hour of 5:30, I packed my lunch (and snack), I pulled my teacher bag together (I don't think I can lift it), and finally I picked out what I am going to wear in the morning.

My two week hiatus from life is over. Let me tell you though...I feel rested. I feel excited for school and I am ready to do big things in the next 6 weeks that I have left with my class.

[Sidenote: Happy Easter! At Taylor we used to LOVE the saying "He is Risen" and replying with "He is Risen Indeed." Today, I heard from my Taylor girls and it made me really miss them ALOT.]

The Easter message got me thinking and not really about the death and resurrection (although that is quite pertinent to life). I was thinking about sacrifice and dependence and control.

Let me back up. 3 years ago during my first year of teaching 2nd grade, I had a student who was the biggest cutie pie EVER, but also my most active student. I typically keep my most active students in the front of the line because that way they don't have anyone to mess with and most importantly they walk next to me. I guess the saying "keep your friends close, but your enemies closer" rings true and definitely applies to my sweet kiddo who needed some extra chaperoning.

This one little friend in particular could melt me with one look, but could make me want to spit fire with the next. He had a certain charisma that was contagious and a heart that needed loving. One particular afternoon as we were lining up for the bus and I was running around trying to get everyone where they needed to be (what teacher has a calm afternoon dismissal because if you do...we should chat). My little one was waiting patiently for me to come to the front and lead him out to the bus. As I was barking orders at the class and coral-ing the rest, little M held up his hand and looked at me with his big eyes and said "Miss Slagle....Shall we?"Again, I melted and said "Yes...Yes...We Shall" and took his hand and together we walked to the bus.

Mr. Shall We

Fastforward...Today at church I felt like I was being asked the very same question and for so long it has seemed like I was tackling life one task at a time.

But today, my answer felt the same as it did the day I was asked to hold a hand and walk to the bus. I knew unequivocally that nothing else mattered and that I could rest safe in the Lord's arms, just like M. could rest his hand in mine.

Yes...together....we shall.

Little Monster hence Little Gaga aka Hayley

2011-04-21T23:26:00.000-04:00

INTRODUCING the newest, latest, HOTEST photographer there is

Mrs. Michelle Murchison of Mason & Michelle Photography

Task: Take pictures of L.M. = no easy task

Where: Noda (Tasty Yo-Fire Station-Rat's Nest-Streets)

Weather: Rainy

Baby Temperment: pretty terrible BUT she is the prettiest bald baby EVER

If you want your baby to look as cute, precious, and adorable as Miss Hayley I will get you in touch with the best photographer in the Queen City.

CHINA Bound!

2011-04-21T22:36:00.000-04:00

One of my friends recently challenged me to this question. “If you could accomplish ANYTHING in your life for God and KNEW you couldn’t fail, what would you do?”

I thought about this and came up with this answer…

There are a few things that I am truly passionate about in this world some being—a relationship with Jesus, loving people, all things education, and traveling to new places. Lately, I have reflected a lot on what does that mean for my life? How can I reach the most people, be an effective teacher, and share a vibrancy for life? If I knew that I wouldn’t fail I would want to build meaningful relationships with people, impact education on a large scale, and never allow life to become mundane. As far as how that relates to a specific job, I am still processing that. Currently, I love my job and see where the Lord has called me to impact 20 at-risk kiddos and inspire them to be outstanding in everyway. Over my short 5 years of adult life, I realize how blessed I am to wake up and love going to work everyday.

A few weeks ago, I was slightly disappointed that the Lord closed the door on one opportunity, but quickly realized again that His hand was once again clearly on my life. I was offered an opportunity to travel to China for a month and model “best classroom practices” to the teachers in a Chinese school. God really orchestrated this opportunity and continues to work out every potential glitch along the way. For example, 80% of the trip is paid for and we leave right after I finish finals for the summer session of graduate school. Most importantly, my principal is highly supportive of this trip and is allowing me to make up the days that I miss (the first two weeks of school)! Yikes…what teacher misses the beginning of the year? This teacher does and I am resting in God’s promise of faithfulness and strength.

For three weeks I will have the opportunity to teach Chinese elementary students, but also to model for the Chinese teachers. Each day after class, I will meet with the Chinese teachers and debrief on what they have learned and field any questions. These teachers are excited to learn new ways to instruct their classes and I am passionate about guiding them on their quest for learning. I will be bringing along videos of my class and examples of different types of teaching. In the evenings, we will be living and building relationships with the Chinese.

I am going to China from July 1- July 26^th. Currently, I am trying to raise $2,000 for my Chinese Visa and flight. Please be praying for the support raising process. If you made it all the way to the end of this novel...thanks for the opportunity to share a little piece of my reflections and passions.

Love,

Brittany

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Active April

2011-04-21T22:25:00.000-04:00

My sweet mama and papa bought me a grill (and tools) for Easter. Oh how life has changed from getting pretty Easter dresses.

My dad wouldn't let me get a gas grill...he said it was too dangerous and would be kept too close to my house. Hence...my charcoal grill. I'm now a grillmaster!

I went home to RIC to see the 'rents run the Monument Ave 10k. They did great!

ML and I were so PROUD!

Ash and I celebrated her 27th Birthday!

Finally, it was SPRING BREAK! I have hated that driveway since I moved in for the sole reason that when it rains I get VERY muddy.

Blake (JUNK RESCUE) to the RESCUE!

The FINISHED product! TADA! It makes the driveway look SO much bigger and I LOVE IT.

Plus...its all recycled rock and cost me 1/8th of the normal cost of new gravel.

Then, I planted. Hopefully, I develop a green thumb. My track record isn't so high. The lady at Home Depot said that begonias grow themselves. Let's hope so.

I also hung out with this sweet monster. I may call her Little Gaga because she is CARAZY.

Little Gaga takes a bath.

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March Madness in Picture Review

2011-04-07T21:33:00.000-04:00

March was a pretty crazy month for me. Here is what my phone tells me happened this month.

Michelle and I went to the Kings Kitchen (my most favorite rest!) All the proceeds go to ministries around town and it supports the homeless and gives jobs to the down and out. All things I love.

This is a little project I have been working on for awhile. I collected knobs from Anthropologie and made myself a jewelry rack. Now, my room has been repainted so it looks even better! So Feng Shui!

I ordered about 5000 books and then organized a ton of people to wrap them all for our BH kiddos.

One of my little cuties had 7 fillings from the dental van and came back to me like this. Not sure if you can see the sticker but it says WARNING: YOUR CHILD'S MOUTH IS NUMB. He may drool all over you. :)

This is my mini me...many a parent has asked me if she is my child. Sidenote: It is humorous to see how many different ethnicities people think I am.

Bobcat's game outing, but more importantly USHER is coming to CLT in April and,,,

GUESS WHO has tickets?!?!?!

Yay for Rubbermaid seats at the Bobcats game. Double Yay for Gerald Wallace coming back to the Queen City! Triple Yay for great friends!

Happy St. Paddy's Day via our own personal leprechaun!

Happy St. Paddy's Day Round 2 from the parade in Uptown!

After the parade we went to find some lunch, but Mason decided to join the parade:)

My cute house after I spent all day cleaning and blowing leaves. Why pay someone when you can do it? Granted, I "forgot" to blow the leaves in the fall so it was only 5 months overdue.

After I cleaned my house, I decided to add to my wardrobe. Enter my new gala attire.

To finish off the month, I read this book which is written by the same guy who wrote The 4 Hour Work Week. That book revolutionized E's life and business so I decided I wanted it to revolutionize my health. It is a great book-I highly reccomend. Check in 90 days and I will let you know if it works. Update: 2 weeks in and I am carb and sugar free and feeling great!

Stop back in to see the wrap up of March and the beginning of April.

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favorite blog

2011-03-09T20:16:00.000-05:00

This blog (below) was inspirational and refreshing to me. I hope you enjoy...

naptime diaries: the real running story & the d word: "psalm 28:6-7 I've written before about that magical 8.9 mile run in November. Before that day, the most I could eek out was a mile..."

The Divine's Image

2011-03-03T13:22:00.002-05:00

"We have never interacted with anyone who doesn't bear the Divine's image." -from CS Lewis' The Weighted Glory

Yesterday, I said goodbye to this little one as he is moving back to Mexico. It just reminded me that every day I have the ability to impact so many lives and EVERY life bears God's image.

I will miss his smile and his laugh and his goofy questions. He impacted me in ways that I hope I will always remember. I want to remember his passion and love for knowledge, his positive demeanor, and the way he loved others and made sure they knew that. This little one impacted me and his 17 other classmates. We will miss him.

What a privileged I have to be able to learn from him. It just reminds me that everyone I encounter bears "the divine's image!" If I would remember that in my daily interactions...it is SO powerful.

Here are some of our cards for our friend.

We will miss you Little One. If I taught you anything, I hope it is that you are brilliant and will do great things in your life!

Love,

Miss Slagle

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.shredded.

2011-02-28T19:30:00.000-05:00

I pulled myself off the couch and headed to the gym that is maybe 1 mile away. As I was pulling out of my driveway, it started to sprinkle and then all of a sudden it was torrential down pours. I felt like I was underwater. I listened a little closer to the radio and they said that we would be getting huge hail and a huge thunderstorm. Do you think that would stop me from going to the gym? NO.

Well....YES. I couldn't find a parking spot. Let's rephrase that. The ones that were open were really REALLY far away and I had on a white (kinda already see through) shirt with a white tank top. Not good for torrential downpours. By the time I would have RUN to get into the gym I would have been soaked and my shoes would have squeaked on the treadmill for the 3 miles on my schedule for today.

I headed home and broke open Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred. I have probably had this for over a year, but I opened it and popped it in. A 20 minute work out sounded excellent EXCEPT I didn't have any hand weights. To improvise I grabbed soup cans. Now, I am not an iron woman, but I can lift more than a soup can. Tomorrow I will go out any buy new hand weights so that I actually get the strength/tone benefit.

(This was when Jillian was telling me that I needed to not quit and suck up the 2 minutes of punching)

So, I did. Here is my little make-shift step up. My yoga mat came in handy.

When I was laying down on my mat I noticed how dusty my floor was under my couch, so I think after dinner I have a job to do. Clean and organize my house. Read 5 educational articles. Write 2 papers. Quit "vacationing" aka blogging and GET TO WORK!

Now, at least I did my 1st day of Level 1 the 30 Day Shred. I am well on my way to be shredded according to Jillian.

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weekend thrills

2011-02-28T17:03:00.002-05:00

My weekend started off on a positive note with this little one working so hard all day long on Friday.

Then, for fun (lame we know) we gathered in the library and watched a dvd on how to teach our students to become better readers. We even popped popcorn and sat in the kids chairs. Daring huh?

Not pictured: Saturday I worked for The New Teacher Project ALL day. From 7-5:30 I interviewed potential candidates for teaching positions in CLT. I LOVED it and afterwards I went to dinner at my adopted families house. Oh how I miss them.

Sunday brought church, Target, Trader Joes, and an HOA meeting. The HOA meeting was very exciting because we are quite close to setting a date for when the good half of the street are going to redo their driveways. YAY! No more muddy shoes when it rains. I bought a little Oscar party something something and some new viatmins (because my SHAPE magazine told me too--and my mom too).

And finally...wine, lesson plans, some of the georgia wives, the oscars, and lucy(the dog who likes me--a rare find).

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Today's Wednesday Right?

2011-02-22T21:18:00.000-05:00

All DAY I thought it was Wednesday and it wasn't until I was talking a.k.a verbally vomiting on my sweet dad who calmly reminded me in was only Tuesday and not Wednesday. Now mind you I was driving to class (which is Tuesday) and I was prepared for class (so I must have subconsciously known) but I asked him if he was at choir (practice is on Wednesdays). Good thing it was Tuesday because I was thankful my dad was around to listen to my thoughts and crazy ideas and tell me his calm, rational opinion. Also a plus is the commute since I needed all 45 minutes to process to my father.

Class was great and we were talking about positive behavior and reinforcements and I am NOT one to bribe my students. I believe that they should be good because intrinsically they want to do their best, but I was reflecting on this week and it has been quick and pretty full of school pain. Some of their lives are painful, their actions and really their words have been painful to each other. So, since we are a family tomorrow we are having a FAMILY BREAKFAST.

We will recommit our love for each other and our pledge to be good listeners and lovers of each other and we will break banana bread together. Hence, homemade (err "store bought") chocolate chip banana bread with EXTRA chocolate chips.

These muffins plus

and Miss Slagle's Scholars will be back in business.

Plus Miss Slagle's neighbors (the georgia wives) will be happy.

In fact a special thanks to Stephen who lent me my eggs. Again, can I tell you how much I love this street???!??!?!?!!?!?

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Today was "Monumental"

2011-02-21T19:33:00.000-05:00

In an effort to be as sane as possible by planning and creating ahead of time (and healthy as possible) this was my dinner last night and my lunch today. This lovely concoction made its first appearance on the Ski Trip of 2010. Annie and I loved this hot broccoli soup after a morning of skiing in the freezing cold weather. The boys on the other hand preferred tomato. I bet if they had seen this "before" stage they never would have tried it. BUT, it really is good and has quite the kick to it (secret ingredient: cayenne pepper).

Normally, I use emealz.com to plan out my menus/dinners, but lately my life has been a little hectic and I am lucky if I eat. (Seriously, I may have substituted dinner for bed a few nights last week) This is one of my favorite emealz creations. It is garlic rosemary pork chops. They are DELICIOUS! My veggie lasagna is also a emealz favorite.

So, today after work I dropped the kids off at the bus-fish passed out of BH and came home to meet my group for our big class presentation in my Models of Teaching class at Queens. Before, they arrived I whipped this up.

Once she got here we got busy and this was our final product. Oh to be El Ed.

Then before I could tell myself I was tired I went to the gym. I think I could run forever (maybe not) if I had a magazine to read. I LOVE magazines especially fitness ones. It makes me run faster. I thank my parents for taking me on long car trips and making me read because I can run on the treadmill and read my magazine ALL at the same time. It is great. Quite an accomplishment. Thank you Mike and Krista for making it more enjoyable when I run.

Oh, but that was why my day was monumental. I am running the "Monument Ave 10k" and I am SO behind on my training (even though I had a personally crafted training regiment that should fit my schedule) and I am right on board with this week (wk 3 even though this is technically my wk 1)!

Oh and I curled my hair this morning.

A "monumental" President's Day.

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Lover's Day

2011-02-19T16:17:00.000-05:00

Ask my friends. I LOVE holidays. I can only think of one person who may like them as much or more than me. That would be Michelle. She only wins because she decorates for every SINGLE holiday. I tend to leave up the decorations and then I am 2 months behind taking down Christmas decorations and I have Christmas, Valentines, and St. Patrick's Day all up at the same time. This tends to make me feel unaccomplished so I just don't decorate.

For this lovers day...it all started about a week early when my cute mom sent me a package complete with presents for me and for my 18 kiddos. I loved my new purse (and other treats) and my kids were going to love their valentine goody bags.

I went to the Wong household for a little love celebration where I ate red velvet cupcakes and played Just Dance for the wii. Who knew that could be so addicting!

My ragamuffins showed me they loved me when my desk was overflowing with chocolate, treats, roses, and stuffed animals. I had love notes and those always make for a great day.

I rushed home and started making dinner because the housewives were coming over to celebrate. (One day soon I will introduce you to the infamous "wives.")

Laura and I set the table complete with all our little toys and we specifically put them in Nate's seat. See, N works at a bank and banks don't love on their employees like kids do. We drank wine, ate great (i hope) food, and just celebrated the Georgia love. To top it off, N brought tiramisu from Novas (my favorite bakery)!

This is why I love to celebrate love....EVERY DAY!

Sadly, the wives didn't take a picture for V-day, but we did over the snow days. This is the most current!

Next Celebration: St. Paddy's Day and I can not wait to celebrate in the same style as last year!

Mich and I at the Parade in uptown (left) and Tam and I somewhere in uptown (on the right)

E wanted to celebrate the Irish on the World's Largest Pub Crawl so he made the trek to the QC.

reflections post July 2009

2011-02-18T20:33:00.007-05:00

Clearly, I fell off the blogger bandwagon. I don't apologize though. In the last 2 years a lot has happened! I bought a house, completely renovated it in a month, switched schools, started a few random (small) jobs, wrote grants, joined the board of a nonprofit, married off many friends but specifically my college roommate and soon one of my closest friends, developed old and new friends, traveled (and was robbed), started grad school, and saw God move in miraculous ways!

Tonight I put off my 10k training a little longer and Devan and I walked to the Smelly Cat in Noda and grabbed coffee and chatted our way through the ghetto. As I read her blog, I decided that I missed blogging (even if there are very few readers) I appreciated the self reflection.

Originally, I wrote about adventures around CLT which quickly ended in 2008.

Then, I bought this house I decided that I wanted to be like these people and end up working for Home Depot as a blogger and getting everything for free. That thought ended as soon as I signed the papers at the lawyers office (yes. very daunting).

Now, I want to write about what I do and think because I don't want to forget.

This is my favorite blog. She writes about anything and everything. I want to be THIS eloquent, reflective, and disciplined.

I enjoy reading blogs. Its almost like a temporary vacation for me.

So, here are a few pictures to bring you up to speed since my blogging vacation.

The "first" First Book Distribution. The grant donated 4400 books to our students. Currently: FB has donated almost 25k to our school!

My girls flew in for the Black Eyed Peas Concert. We. Heart. Fergie.

E and I camped out for 4 days at Bonaroo with Sarah and John!

Little Michael Lloyd graduated from COLLEGE!

I grew some grass. My finished renovated house!

My typical/current Friday dates (Paul and Devan) got married! YAY! (They should be models)

Lauren Lynn Walton become Lauren Lynn George.
Another model couple.

Michelle got hitched as well!

The Paces (plus Eric) came to CLT to celebrate Laci and Brandon's wedding!

I thought Puerto Rico may help me un"stress" but instead it provided a tad bit more...

Celebrated Halloween with the Georgia Ave Housewives.

Coordinated another Book Distribution! This one with help. Thanks Erin!

Toasted Edwards' ENGAGEMENT for New Years!

I may or may not have become pooly from reliving the past 18 months.

2009-07-23T21:40:00.002-04:00

I doubt I will ever make it as a blogger. I def will never be a professional blogger.

The update is that I have the house. It is officially mine. That would be why I am not at home to update my blog.

Sorry.

Im painting all weekend and would love the help.

2009-07-23T21:40:00.001-04:00

I doubt I will ever make it as a blogger. I def will never be a professional blogger.

The update is that I have the house. It is officially mine. That would be why I am not at home to update my blog.

Sorry.

Im painting all weekend and would love the help.

t-10 days

2009-07-03T19:01:00.002-04:00

Hopefully, there are only 1o more days until I am officially a homeowner. I am getting really excited to actually get in there and get started with my list of everything I am going to do. There are two things that I know about myself.

1. I love making lists. I make lots of them because there is something about crossing things off after I complete the task. I don't like the tasks app on my blackberry because I can't cross anything off it just goes away and I don't feel a sense of accomplishment.

2. I love to talk everything out. Talking things out either calms me down or makes me realize what I am really saying.

We had a little snafu with the re inspection. The guy came out and basically just said that the job done on the house was crap. We worked everything out with the seller and now everything is fixed. It is a little difficult not being there because I want to see for myself that it is done as they say it is. My realtor is going to head over there and make sure that EVERY SINGLE piece of wood is replaced and that the foundation is pacified. I guess it is just difficult to weigh the fact that this is a 70 year old house and the desire to not have to fix this problem in a few years.

Anyways, in 10 days I will have the keys to my new house. In the meantime, I will be boating, touring downtown Nashville, going to the beach with Eric, and heading to Andrews wedding!

2009-06-26T13:16:00.003-04:00

The past 2 days I have made countless appointments for estimates for floors, countertops, windows, doors, patio doors, insulation, etc.

I have made spreadsheet after spreadsheet in hopes of being efficient. There are so many things to consider: warranties, quality of work crews, and cost being some of them.

I have officially decided on my windows. They are the BEST windows I have seen and let me tell you I have seen a lot in the past 2 days. We are getting double pane and double hung windows. They are going to have the grids in them so that the house will stay with the "classic" look. My window screen is on its on track so it can slide up and down. They also qualify for the tax credit since they will meet the energy efficient guidelines.

I have a gutter guy. He was the best deal and there are so many gutter ploys out there...

I have a countertop man. Let me tell you...the countertop space is about 12 feet including the sink. I am going with granite and this company called $39 granite. They actually don't have the one I picked out in stock (figures) but they are getting it from a different supplier and they are honoring their quote. Sink + Faucet + Counters = $1600. Not too shabby.

I have an insulation guy (who is the same guy as windows). He is pretty much great. He is going to blow insulation and put radiant barrier inside my attic for $1.49/ft. I have 900 ft. so you do the math, but pretty inexpensive when you have pretty shotty insulation as is. With the new windows and door and attic insulation supposedly I will save 60% in my utilities. It should be 5% of the square footage of my house...so around $50/month. We will see...

I had a flooring guy come out and price refinishing the hardwoods and tiling my kitchen/bathroom, but since the renters locked me out I couldn't get in to actually have him measure. I think tiling may come later in the process than I originally thought. I still need to square that away.

Ok...furniture is being delivered...I will add to this list later....

A day of firsts...

2009-06-22T17:48:00.004-04:00

Today I...

...climbed in and went in my first crawl space with every creepy creature out there (and Scott)

...experienced my first day of summer efficiency

...got lost going to my new house

...began the homeowning experience by requesting numerous estimates on windows, doors, gutters, counters, and tile.

As far as the crawl space adventure, we went in to see if the seller had completed the work that he said he completed. He had not. It is a good thing Amerispec and I are best friends. I pushed back the re-inspection so that they would have enough time to ACTUALLY complete the work.

I will be at the house all day Wed and half a day Thursday trying to find the best possible company to work with in each area. Last night, I made an incredibly efficient spread sheet with everything I need to do, in the order that I need to do it in, with all contacts names, numbers, and quotes. I will be updating it post-Thursday.

Here are some lovely pics of the wood that was supposed to be replaced. The white stuff...mold. Also, what makes me the most frustrated is that half of the wood is replaced and then they leave the rotted wood right next to it.

Tonight I am headed to my adopted parents house for dinner and 24 and then home to pack a few boxes.

Efficiency has been my motto the past couple of days...hopefully it will continue.

to do update

2009-06-17T14:09:00.001-04:00

To Do for this Week:

DONE: copy all paperwork for loan

-get renovation estimates (plumbing, electrician, handyman, etc)

DONE:(waiting for return call) call for re-inspection

-start packing up parts of my current house since the next month is basically shot and once I get the house it will be cleaning and remodeling time!!!

I need the names of plumbers, electricians, etc. Please forward my way...

my daily to do

2009-06-16T23:33:00.002-04:00

Tomorrow is my first full day of summer! My classroom is basically put together and I have my summer reading list ready to go (next to my pool bag). Basically, I have 4 weeks off until I go back to work. Here is the breakdown...

July 1-July 6 Surpriseville with the family

July 10-11 Wedding Weekend in DC

July 14 Closing on Georgia Ave

July 15 Best friends fly in and we head to the mountains

July 20 Teacher Work Week and the Year #4 begins

To Do for this Week:

-copy all paperwork for loan

-get renovation estimates (plumbing, electrician, handyman, etc)

-call for re-inspection

-start packing up parts of my current house since the next month is basically shot and once I get the house it will be cleaning and remodeling time!!!

Summer Reading List:

Reading Essentials

Guided Reading

Units to Plan:

Guided Reading/Shared Reading

Reading Workshop

Writing Workshop

Investigations-math workshop

Summer Goals:

1. Get tan

2. Sleep some

3. learn to like running

4. organize my clothes/belongings (quite the feat)

5. make something crafty

We will see how this goes...

2009-06-15T07:40:00.002-04:00

So, we are throwing out the old loan and getting a new one. I just want this ball to start rolling. I want to close on the house so I can get people in there to work on it and then I CAN MOVE IN!!!

Later...I will tell you all the reasons why 203k's did not work for me.

peace

2009-06-10T22:35:00.003-04:00

I realized today that I tried to take control of my situation and I actually do not have any control over it whatsoever. Tomorrow, I find out about my job and hopefully some more clarity on the whole loan issue. I feel like I have been unusually calm throughout this typically stressful venture. Do not take that as I have not had my fair share of freak outs because I have def. had moments of breathlessness.

I have prayed for peace and wisdom and to see clarity through this entire situation and have felt like the Lord answered those prayers, but today I feel like I stepped backwards.

Isaiah 26:12 "LORD, you establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished you have done for us."

I always loved chapels that ended with this benediction...

The LORD bless you

and keep you;

the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;

the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace

Tomorrow...I will be better.

inspiration/first purchase

2009-06-07T21:23:00.007-04:00

The loan I am getting requires me to do certain things to the house. Some are things that I want to do and some are things that I def. do not want to do. For example, I do not want to put a railing on my broken front porch, but I am going to have to. The consultant wants me to just put one railing up, but I think that will look ridiculous. So, I already have the posts and rails I just need to add the railing part to both sides. This is going to be my inspiration I think depending on how hard this is to create. Any thoughts or ideas are welcome.

This is going to be the color of my tile in my kitchen I think. I was going to do white, but I don't really want to be bleaching my kitchen every week. This is a really really light grey and it has a matching grout. Who knew?
This is maybe my favorite tile ever. It is so classic and is going to be my bathroom tile. It is safe to say that I am in love with this tile.
TADA!!! This was my first purchase (besides you know the house). I bought a vanity/sink. Currently, there is a huge vanity that takes up the entire bathroom. I wanted a square pedestol sink, but then I decided I needed some cabinet space. Laci and I went to the Habitat Restore and we walked in and I was saying I needed a sink for my bathroom and we walked directly into about 20 sinks. The lady had this one that she was unwrapping and it was the only one with cabinet doors. She was like if you want it, tell me now because someone will buy this. I started to get overwhelmed with the thought of making such a quick decision. I took the tag and walked around the store for an hour or so and then bought it. I think this may be it until I close on the house. Isn't it cute.

This weekend I met my neighbors. I am really excited about living at Georgia Ave. The amount of things that have to happen before then are a little daunting, but when I start to "panic" I just have this sense of calmness that it will all get done and that I do not need to worry about it. I have not felt this sense of peace about anything in a very long time. My personality just tends to freak out and then talk it out with whoever to calm down. This seems to be the exact opposite...