365 Project-10 days and counting

It's hard to believe, but my 365 project is almost over! 365 days of taking photos and posting them to the site.  Just 10 days left actually.  I don't think I've ever stuck with anything for an entire year, every day.  I'm actually pretty proud of myself for actually doing it.  I missed three days during the entire project, one  due to being stuck in bed with the flu and the other two, just because I forgot I hadn't done a picture yet.  Other then that, I actually took a photo every day for a year.  My goal of working on improving my photo skills is complete.  Mostly, I'm just happy that I was able to stick with it, although there were certainly days when I would have happily skipped it.  

Here's a sampling of my December shots.  I had a decided Christmas theme going this month.  I'm trying to figure out how to print them in a calendar form like below.  I'd like to display them in this format for each month.  Maybe I'll get one of my students to help me do it using an Excel format or something.  Merry Christmas everyone, hope you all accomplished a goal this year too!

Merry Christmas!

I can't believe that in two days I will finally be in Roatan with the family.  It seemed so far away and now all of a sudden it's here.  I think it's the only thing helping me stay sane through these last 2 1/2 days of school.  Tomorrow afternoon we hit the road to Seattle and then on the 23rd we'll begin our flight down to Honoduras.  As I am trying to keep my patience with my students who are also antsy to get out of here, I figured it was a good time to create a list of the things I'm thankful for this year, so here it goes...

1. My family, I have amazing parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.  Even though we are spread all over the country, I am so blessed by each of you and the time we do get to spend together.

2. Friends.  I have some truly amazing friends in my life.  You all keep me grounded and remind me how much there is to love about myself and my life.  Thanks for the laughter and love and comfort.

3. My job.  As much as I joke about it, I really do love teaching.  I can't think of a more fulfilling career then the one I have.  With all it's challenges, I am lifted up by my students joy every day.  I wouldn't trade it for (almost) anything.  :)

4. Traveling. I have got to take some great trips in the last year or so: Seattle, Boise, Vancouver (WA)/Portland, Virginia/South Carolina, DC, Roatan... Seriously, how did I get so lucky to go so many places and see so many people I love at the same time.  Hopefully, next year will bring some new adventures and maybe a new stamp in my passport.

5. My car.  Really this is just joy that I still have a car that runs after running into deer three seperate times this year.  They say three's the charm, so here's hoping that the "Deer Killer" is retiring her deer hitting ways.  Perhaps a deer whistle for the new year.  :)

6. Camp.  Not sure if this is really just a continuation on friends or work, but getting to be at Camp Cross was just the shot of spirituality I needed this summer.   I loved working out there with all the kids and groups that got to enjoy our lovely part of Lake Coeur d'Alene.  I can't imagine a better staff to work with or a better way to spend my summer really.  Maybe I'll be there again next summer...almost time to decide.

7. Lucy.  I know Katie, shocking but I am thankful for your dog, even though I am NOT a dog-owner and still happy not to be.  She is just a little ray of sunshine in our house.  Now if I can just figure out a way to make her love her giant candy cane rawhide.

Hmm, not a definitive list I'm sure, but that about covers it for now.  I hope you all have a joyful and merry Christmas surrounded by loved ones! Love you all!
Pia

I hate Bambi!

I can't believe it.  I hit ANOTHER deer today.  I am some kind of deer magnet lately.  It just jumped out of nowhere.  I barely had time to hit my breaks at all before I felt that awesome thud.  Damage done.  My driver's side bumper is cracked beyond recognition.  I guess at least the deer was thoughtful enough to leave my newly fixed side of the car alone.  Time to get a deer whistle or something I guess.  Now if I can just keep my back from hurting more, I'll be set.  Oh well, at least the timing is good... I can leave my car to be repaired while playing in Roatan.



The deer did some serious damage this time.  I especially love the giant chunk that's missing from the bumper.



 

Note the little tuft of deer hair, makes it easy to tell that I am not lying when the appraiser comes.

Kill me now

Seriously! Someone put me out of my misery.  I love my students, but along about this time of the year (December), I just want ot kick them in the butt! They are driving me a wee bit crazy right now.  I think it's the combo of Christmas being three weeks away and the fact that we've had a couple of snow days/late starts, but by the end of the day I just can't get them to focus.  ARGH! I think that when I talk to them, all they hear is Charlie Brown teacher: "WAH WAH WAH WAH WAH." And it's only Tuesday.  Gosh this is going to be a long week.  :)

GraphJam

My friend Cydney just introduced me to one of the greatest websites ever: GraphJam.  Seriously, so funny. Random ass graphs on just about everything.  I found one that was me all over:

Get this book NOW!

Two words: The Help


If you haven't read this book, go get it right now (and no Katie, it's not a YA book).  Better yet, get it on audiotape because the four ladies who narrate it are amazing.  And I generally hate audiotapes.

The book is simply amazing.  It follows two maids and one socialite in Jackson Mississippi during the 1960's when they decide to try and write a book allowing 12 of the maids to tell their story during one of our nation's most racially charged periods of history.  The women carefully write their book over the backdrop of The March on Washington, JFK's assassination, Lunch-counter protests, desegregating schools, and Vietnam.  The story is so artfully drawn out making you laugh so hard you cry, and cry so hard, you can't wait to laugh again.  Through the eyes of these three women, we somehow see the beauty of these lives in a time where people show little beauty to each other.  Seriously, GO! Read it right now!

Volleyball

My life is pretty boring right now, so I figured I'd blog about my little daily bit of sunshine.  My volleyball team.  They are the cutest things ever! I have 7th grade JV, and most of them have never touched a volleyball before two weeks ago.  I love the challenge of trying to get them to improve everyday (although really, they have nowhere to go but up).  We played our first two matches this week, and managed to win them both.  And we had fun while doing it.  Three more weeks to go...maybe even a league championship to win! Go Raiders.

Leah Michelle

My friends Mike and Lisa baptized their youngest daughter at church today, Leah.  She was so precious in her little white dress.  And she did not make a peep while the water was poured over her head.  Super cute.  It was fun to have so many friends gathered in one place, and I got to visit with Melissa, Greg and JJ.  Melissa is starting to show, and has an adorable baby bump at 3 months.  She and Greg are the godparents.  Here are a couple of pics from the big event.

Stomp

Katie and I headed downtown last night and watched Stomp.  It was the second time I've seen it, and it was even better this time.  They've changed up the show quite a bit, and added a ton of humor to it.  I honestly can't remember it being that funny the first time I saw it.  And they've added a ton of new numbers.  Katie and I couldn't pick just one favorite part, although the basketball number and the one where three guys are on giant metal garbage cans which are attached to their feet by ski boots are definitely up there.  But by far, the act that amazed me the most was an entire number using zippo lighters where they never missed a beat (or a flame).  Perhaps the most amazing part of the night was that during the encore, they actually got the entire audience into the action in a four-part rhythm.  It was crazy!  If it's coming near you, get tickets stat!

Vote for me!!!

I entered a contest for a classroom grant a couple weeks ago, and now it's time to vote people!!! I have until October 28th to garner as many votes as possible for my idea.  The top 5 vote getters will be awarded $2000 and either an iPod nano or a flip camera to help make their ideas a reality.
Please vote for my idea at  http://bit.ly/dgSh79.  If you put in my name in the "Enter keywords" box, it will take you to my idea directly.  Thanks for helping out a poor teacher!)

PS, if you have a blog, and want to post this to help the cause, I'd love any aid that will help me spread the word!

Here's my idea, in case you were wondering:

Book Trailers
Description: My class has had a reading component to it for the last ten years, where my students read choice books and then tell me about their books in one-on-one meetings. I\'d like to add a technology component to the book chats where students can make book trailers (like movie trailers) about their books which we can post on our class website. It would give them an opportunity to share their books with each other, and have a creative option using their technology skills to earn credit for reading.

Learning Objectives: They will learn how to create mini-movies using a variety of computer resources at school including Windows Movie Maker. They will need to pick out key themes or events from their novels to put into the book trailers and find images and music that will catch the audience\'s attention. Students will also use storyboarding techniques to plan out their trailers.

Materials: Computers, music programs (such as Windows Media or iTunes), Windows Movie Maker (or another program of student\'s choice), youtube.com, and the internet. They might also use scanners or digital cameras to procure images for their movies.

Other Information: This is a new project for my classroom and will be used as one of three options for earning credit for reading in my classroom. I\'m excited for the technology potential in this project, and to have such a fun way to share great books with their classmates.

Rockford Fair

a printing press featured at the Rockford museum.

Mom and I braved the Rockford Fair last weekend to have a little mother-daughter bonding time.  Lavs put aside her fear of strangers to accompany me to the cutest little fair ever.  We checked out the local shops, walked through the "booths", checked out our entries into the arts and crafts competition, visited animals, and saw the smallest town museum ever.  In other words, we had fun.  Afterwards, we went to Paradise Fiber for some yarn therapy, and had a visit to FroYo to end our outing.  Thanks for the lovely afternoon mom!

My winning photo

Finally, a finished project

That's right people, I finished something: a hat for my friend Katie.  Maybe I should do more hats.  They knit up quick! Here is her present; I think it turned out pretty cute.

Seattle Visit

Katie and I headed to Seattle last weekend for a fun-filled whirlwind of a visit.  We fit in a ton of family, a few friends, and a David Gray concert.  Good times.  Here are a few pictures from our adventures.

Katie and I have dinner with our friends on Saturday!

Me and Sarah

Katie with Michelle and Bethany

We visited with Mimi and Lisa.

Our little Mimi

We went to a Ray and Dave concert

Ray LaMontagne takes the stage

David Gray never disappoints!

We saw the Prentice's

Hadley and Katie do a project

Megan and her mini-me.  Oh Hadley, you are being held by your future!

Thanks for such a great visit everyone! We had an amazing time.

Cameron

A cute little family! Cameron, Erin and Cooper

Today, I had the opportunity to take my first ever senior pictures.  My friend Erin asked me to take her son Cameron's senior portraits.  I agreed with a bit of trepidation...I mean these are senior pictures people... but I took the gig.  We met out at a Center Point in the Valley and got some great shots in front of the waterfall feature there.  I think they turned out pretty well, and Cam was a great sport.  Here are a couple unedited shots from our day.

F-ing Deer

I can't believe it finally happened! After all these years of driving those country roads, and too many close calls to count, I hit a deer.  

I was driving out to my friends Greg and Melissa's lake cabin on Wednesday night, going 60 down Highway 54, when it happened.  I saw a deer on the side of the road, and it decided to jump in front of my car.  Luckily, I saw it early enough to slow mostly down, but I definitely hit it with the loudest thump ever.  

After I got my car stopped and pulled over, I braved a look at the front of my Sportage, expecting half my bumper to be gone.  I was met with this site...

Somehow, I lucked out.  All I got was this miniture crack with a little tuft of deer fur to prove that I hit something.  Thank you God!

WW update, unofficial

 I've been at camp, so haven't been able to make a meeting yet but I did step on my scale before I headed out to VA yesterday morning.  And let me just say that camp has been good to me.  I am down 18 pounds since heading to camp in mid-June.  My goal was 20 pounds by the time school starts.  I can't believe how close I am, and how great my clothes are fitting right now.  I just need to be good with the Virginians and I should make it easily.  What a great kick-off to my school year.

VA vacation

So I arrived in VA last night at 11pm.  Cara Lee was kind enough to pick me up from Richmond airport, and didn't even complain a little.  I spent the day sleeping and watching TV.  I forgot what it felt like to veg out.  Oh trashy TV, I've missed you so! Tomorrow, Cara, Patty, dad and I head to SC to Myrtle Beach.  They all have 5 days off to play with me.  I can't wait to hit the beach and play without worrying about what campers are doing.  I'll blog when I can and post pics.  Hopefully, we have internet access!

Camp Cross 4-eva

Well friends, I've made it through the summer of Camping fun.  It has been a crazy roller-coaster ride this summer.  Some amazing highs, and some crazy lows, but I wouldn't trade a minute of it.  I had a fantastic time playing with my staff, growing closer to God, mentoring counselors, and having such fun with our campers.  I am so filled with love and joy, it's a bit hard to contain.  I had to leave my staff early to head to VA to see the family, which was tougher then I thought.  Usually, I'm ready for camp to be over and to be back in Spokane, but this year, I'm sad to leave my friends.  I couldn't have asked for a better group.  I still have a few weekends to work, so I haven't moved out of my cabin completely yet (that was waaay too hard to do on Tuesday).  Thanks you to everyone who helped make my summer so memorable.  Love you all!

The staff all dressed up for Lion King day.  We performed the Circle of Life to kick off our theme day. 

Sunrise last week, the sun is just peeking through.

Pirate day, the staff is ready to take on campers during Pirate's gold rush

Sunrise (my cabin's view).  Do I need a better reason to love camp?

Staff meeting at waterfront, my favorite meeting!

Our staff at senior high fancy dinner

The fire dancers

Moon rise at campfire

Cara Lee

My baby sister is about to celebrate another year.  Hard to believe she's 33! Cara, I miss you so much.  No one else makes me laugh as hard as you do.  I love how much you love our family, and that you will drop anything to make a trip back to Spokane if you thought we needed it.  You are the hardest working woman I know, and turn everything you touch to success.  I can't wait to see you on the 18th.  I love you little sis.  I hope your birthday has some fun in it and that you get a bit of a break.  Enjoy every moment this year!

Happy birthday mom!

Sadly, this post is a little late.  Camp craziness kept me from getting to it yesterday (plus my new computer battery isn't here so I had to do this from home)! But my tardy posting doesn't mean I love my mommy any less.  I rushed like a mad fiend yesterday from camp to get to Spokane in time to join mom and Katie for a delicious dinner at Clinkerdaggers.  It was no low-cal feast, but we sure did enjoy our celebration! I couldn't ask for a better mom or friend then Laurie Ann.  She is always there for us whether we need a baby gift hit up or to borrow something from her stash, whether we need a ride or some home-cooking.  Thanks mom for taking such good care of us, for being a great roommate, and an amazing mother.  I hope this year brings quick healing to your arm, and so much happiness you're overflowing! Love you Lavs Plack!

I love camp

This week I have three little Parlange boys out at camp with me.  So fun.  We have had a couple small issues, but the boys are fitting in nicely, and having some fun.  Of course, Liam has already earned some rock hauling for throwing rocks in the cabin area and then running away from Levi at 6 in the morning.... Oh well.  Oh and Alex told his cabin closure that he might have brought a bb gun, which Laurie assures me he does NOT have.  Other then that, they've been very sweet and everyone loves RJ!

Liam helps to lead the jellyfish song at campfire

Alex working on his pirate flag

RJ during our scavenger hunt

Busy Day

So I've taken advantage of my day off with my pal Krista to get a ton of stuff done today.  I started out with a coffee break with my friend Mallory while Krista hung out at my house, and then dropped my computer off to get fixed since it decided to stop working yesterday.  Then I grabbed Krista and we headed to the gym for a workout.  It was so fun to see my trainer Silka.  I'm happy to report I've lost 8 pounds this month at camp and an inch or two everywhere!  After the gym, we stopped by the store to get some groceries, and some lunch.

Post-showering, Krista and I headed downtown for pedicures, and our feet look awesome! Then we headed home to veg in front of the TV, and I baked a cake.  I'm testing out a new recipe for my friend Cydney's birthday next weekend.  It seems to be a success!  Off to camp tomorrow to do some work! Love you all.

My pretty pedi

My beautiful chocolate mousse cake with raspberries and kahlua whipped cream!