Holy Present Wrapping!

Today I finally finished wrapping gifts for our sponsor family. We decided to shop for a needy family instead of for ourselves this year. Erik's and my family all chipped in and created a huge mound of gifts for the family of 5.

There are two boys, 2 &6 years old, and two girls, 4 &8 years old and they are cared for by their grandmother. Total we got them each a new winter coat, pants, shirts, sweaters, PJs, socks, toys, drawing materials, hygiene gifts, and even a huge tub of food for Christmas Dinner. I really wish I could be a fly on the wall come Christmas morning at their house. This was one of the most fulfilling shopping season ever.

Along with the gifts we bought, I also made a stocking for each of the kids and grandmother. I sewed a felt initial for each kid and used a pretty paisley for grandmother's. I put their toothbrushes, shower gel, and other treats inside. I hope they enjoy them.

Thanks again to everyone that helped out, and to Lesley and her family to pitching in and helping another family at school! I hope you all are able to do something selfless and great for someone this Christmas!!

Almost there...

This week marks the final week of course work for my Master's in Education Degree. Hense, I have been overwhelmed with essays, rationales, and stress making me absent from my posts. Wish me luck as my portfolio is reviewed and am I evaluated for my degree. I'll be back soon.

Recovery Saturday

I survived another birthday. Yesterday marked my 27th year and I was lucky to spend it with lots of friends at a little house party my wonderful husband threw for me. I'm not really a party girl on the regular, but I had a blast hanging with friends and decorating a pumpkin present.

Thanks to all who helped make my birthday special and this morning hurtful :)

I can't believe it!

I will be back at the workplace promptly at 7:30am tomorrow morning for the first Faculty Meeting of the 2009-2010 school year. The past two months have FLOWN by. It began with a pergola, followed by a 4th of July shin-dig, then headed outside for some landscaping, then back inside for a guest room re-do, and finished with Erik and I on the couch watching some TV and relaxing. This summer has been one of the busiest, but a good one.



I'm looking forward to having a schedule again and actually dressing before noon. Don't get me wrong, I love the R & R of the summer, but it can get old, and I think if I come up with one more project to do Erik will flip! So here's to the Back to School Madness! Welcome back traffic, soccer practice, and packing lunches!

{image from here}

Personal Note: Give What's Needed

With finances the way they are, many people are foregoing their usual charitable contributions in order to keep more money in their own pocket. Of course you are your #1, but that doesn't mean there aren't other ways to help those who need it.

Start at the top- with your hair that is! As an elementary teacher I have watched several of my students, colleagues, and parents participate in the Locks of Love and Pantene's Beautiful Lengths campaigns. Every school year about 15 of these brave girls, women and even a boy, grow their hair out just to have it chopped off for a good cause. Both of these amazing organizations collect hair to make wigs for survivors of cancer. Locks works exclusively for children while Pantene works for adults and children. My school has donated over 1,000 inches of hair over the past couple years!

So as I looked in the mirror and groaned about how I needed a haircut because my long curls were becoming unmanageable, I thought of those survivors. I thought of them also because my colleague Marsha just lost all of her hair to Breast Cancer, and is now sporting her new cropped cut after months of wigs. That's it, I told myself, off  with the curls! They must go NOW! Friday after noon the lovely Aveda stylist took 2 7" ponytails from my mane- yes I have, had, a lot of hair. 

I was very traumatized at first. I hadn't had short hair-meaning above my shoulders- for a very long time. My neck was now exposed and ponytails are no longer my go to for bad hair days. But as the weekend has progressed so has my love for my new 'do. 

My curls are happy to lose the weight.

And when I straighten my locks I feel the presence of Twiggy.

If you are heading to the salon for a new shorter summer cut, get out your ruler and see if you have enough to give to someone who could use it. Visit Locks of Love here to find out their donation guidelines, and Pantene's Beautiful Lengths here.