by Sarah | Feb 1, 2013 | All About Kennedy, All About Learning
After the past few months with this one…
When the teacher calls…
First instinct is a cringe and suspicion.
But then they manage to blindside you again.
With good news instead of bad.
GREAT news instead of good.
PROUD news.
Her reading scores are off the charts.
So good that, thank to this new form of teaching the school is implementing (and we got into the sneak-peek-pilot-test of)…
Kennedy moves up a grade in her reading/language portion of class.
Every morning after the Pledge of Allegiance she will join a small group from her classroom and head into a 2nd grade classroom for an hour and a half.
Pushing her, challenging her.
To get even better in reading.
Because reading…is awesome.
by Sarah | Jan 28, 2013 | Random
Ask me any day, any time, and I will tell you there is NOTHING better than Canadian chocolate. I’ve totally begged an old friend from Canada to send some over the border so I can nosh.
It’s not something I can get every day – so I have to say that I think I’ve found the next best thing.
See’s Candy.
I’m telling you, it’s epic.
I can safely say it’s the next best thing because Mrs. See (she’s real) is originally from Canada. So that woman knew chocolate when she came to the States.
I was so very fortunate to be able to head up to the See’s store with some of my favorite bloggers to gorge on sample some of their delicious treats.
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We got to learn all about the rich history of See’s Candy. Including fun trivia like the Lucy episode with the chocolate? It was filmed at See’s!
See’s candy is made from real, natural products. If you look at the side of the box – you can pronounce everything. Those real ingredients? YUM. The chocolate is smooth and rich – one piece almost feels like too much, but you eat it anyway.
Of course, everyone’s favorite part of the night was donning hair nets and creating our own box of candy. A little bit of competition to be the fastest didn’t hurt, either.
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I’ve already decided…while I’ve never been a Valentine’s person – I might have to lean on Erik this year to make a run to Keystone to get me a box of deliciousness. The one I brought home is almost empty…and that’s never a good thing.
by Sarah | Jan 27, 2013 | Photography, Scavenger Hunt Sunday
I’m shoulder deep in edits – so it’s a week of diving into the archives to meet the hunt..
All taken w/ Canon Rebel XS.
1. Lace
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2. Bling
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3. Wood
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4. Fuzzy
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5. Fabric
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You can find more pictures over at my flickr account.
Scavenger Hunt Sunday is run by the beautiful Ashley. Head on over to see more Hunters.
by Sarah | Jan 24, 2013 | All About Me, Blogging Life, Random
With freezing temps & sick kids & edits & hubs & birthdays & Disney on Ice & chaos all around…I can barely get a coherent thought together much less a coherent post.
So what do I do? I steal a post from the ever loverly Emily, who stole it from her…and so on and so forth. I love posts like these anyway, and so as soon as I saw it I knew I’d steal it – just wasn’t sure when or how soon – turns out pretty damn fast.
So, here you go. 48 Questions You Never Asked, but I’m answering anyway.
1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
Yes! My Great-Grandmothers – both of them. Sarah (she went by Sadie) and Melissa. I love this story and will tell you it if you ask. EVERY.TIME. Yup. It’s one of the areas my narcissism shines.
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
I can’t give you an exact date but I know it was recent. There’s been much emotionally-stuffs going on.
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
Nope. My print is better than my cursive – but in a rush they both suck. I write like my Dad (sorry Dad).
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
Turkey Pastrami.
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
Three. Crazy. Insane. children. Love ’em most of the time.
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
Probably. I was always friends with the geeks & nerds…and I love theater people.
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?
NEVER (see also: ALWAYS).
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
Yup.
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
Hmmm. I used to say “No way in Hell would that happen”…but these days I’m more daring. I’d consider it (but probably chicken out).
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
I hate cereal. But occasionally go through craving spurts where I eat Special K w/ strawberries (or fake-berries, whatevs).
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
Never. Drives the husband up a wall.
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
Physically? Not nearly enough. Emotionally? Beyond imagination.
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
I’m a simple girl. Vanilla with caramel sauce.
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
If they’re smiling.
15. RED OR PINK?
Red. I hate pink, I have always hated pink.
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
My body. Especially after the picture gold mine from 10 years ago I sifted through last night. What HAPPENED to me?
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
My best friend Jess. She lives WAY too far away and transporters need to be invented already.
18. WHAT IS THE TECHNIQUE THAT YOU NEED TO WORK ON THE MOST?
Budgeting. Seriously.
19. WHAT COLOR SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
At the time I’m writing this? Brown slippers – it’s 3* out and my floors are COLD.
20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
Pulled pork. Last night’s dinner. Yum.
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
Currently the news is on in the background. When i’m writing it’s often either Hard Rock or Love Songs radio on Pandora (depending on which story I’m working on).
22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
Burnt Orange.
23. FAVORITE SMELLS?
The smell of the pipe tobacco my grampa used to smoke – it evokes many memories and lets me know he’s still watching over me.
Vanilla or almond.
The wisp of smoke from a freshly extinguished candle.
The first fresh blast of crisp winter air you get in fall…it’s always so clean and cold.
Gardenias. Reminds me of my grandmother and my wedding.
24. HOW IMPORTANT ARE YOUR POLITICAL VIEWS TO YOU?
They are very important to me…that doesn’t mean I’ll share them with you. I don’t talk politics to 99% of people. Or religion. I hate arguing so I don’t do it.
25. MOUNTAIN HIDEAWAY OR BEACH HOUSE?
Both. But really? Mountain hideaway would win if I had to choose.
26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
HOCKEY.
27. HAIR COLOR?
Currently? Chocolate Cherry. I like to experiment, though…so it could change at any time.
28. EYE COLOR?
Brown. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it (just don’t look too close especially when I’m wearing purple and they look green)
29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
Yes! Hate myself in glasses
30. FAVORITE FOOD?
Sorry. I can’t pick. Too many good things.
31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
I hate scary movies. Husband loves them…
32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
Madagascar 3. Probably 30 times since it was opened Christmas morning.
Oh, wait…the last movie I actually somewhat watched was INK. I missed portions of it, but it was an interesting and unique film.
33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
Burgundy…until I change later.
34. SUMMER OR WINTER?
Both? I love Summer…but I also love Winter. Hell, all the seasons have my vote.
35. FAVORITE DESSERT?
Mmmm….Cheesecake
36. STRENGTH TRAINING OR CARDIO?
Strength is preferred…but I get the importance of Cardio.
37. COMPUTER OR TELEVISION?
Computer.
38. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
Mine. This one of Mine, too. (Hey, I’m reading proof copies for errors, shush. I’m not that narcissistic…much).
Also, I’ve been re-reading Harry Potter Series, and am currently on my least favorite (and longest) of all the books, Order of the Phoenix.
Also Hunger Embraced (by my crit partner, fun & sexy book)
Also MWF seeking BFF, recommended by her.
Also…oh, I’ll stop now. Let’s just say I read multiple books at once, k?
39. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
My mouse pad is my desk…so…a lot of crap. It needs a serious cleaning.
40. FAVORITE SOUND?
Rain.
41. FAVORITE GENRE OF MUSIC?
Uh…you can’t honestly expect me to pick?
42. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?
Cafilornia. About 2 months before dah big quake in 89.
43. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
I can bark like a poodle. I can sing, dance, write, knit, crochet, sew, and…sometime I think I can mother.
44. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
Buffalo, New York (well, a suburb of it)
45. WHERE ARE YOU LIVING NOW?
Indianapolis. Circle City. In my old(er) age…I kind of love it.
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46. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR HOUSE?
Stupid pale yellow that I’ve hated forever. Can’t afford to change it so it stays. Stupid pale yellow.
47. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR CAR?
Beige. Stupid brown/beige crap. One day I will own a car that is a color.
48. DO YOU LIKE ANSWERING 48 QUESTIONS?
I sure do. It’s fun to answer random questions.
by Sarah | Jan 23, 2013 | All About Denver, The Teenager
As a teenager, Denver refuses to get his picture taken…So this post is a nearly identical repeat of last year and chock full of embarrassing baby photos in hopes he’ll let me get some NEW pictures to use. Happy birthday, brat. 😉
Time sometimes flies like a bird, sometimes crawls like a snail; but man is happiest when he does not even notice whether it passes swiftly or slowly.
~Ivan Turgeney
Fifteen years ago this minute, as I was in labor, I still thought he was a girl. The ultrasound said girl. Everyone said girl.
My dreams said boy.
Mymorning walk to induce labor I stopped not at the girls clothes rack, but at the tiny little suits, ooh-ing and ahh-ing over the teensy little ties.
After three false labors I was forced to sit in the hotel room my Mom had reserved until I “Finally” stopped screwing around and gave birth already. (For the record, Denver was only 1.5 hours “early” for his due date.) When my contractions were finally 3 minutes apart, my mom called my OB, who then demanded to know why we waited. She, in her dry and sarcastic glory informed him that she wasn’t about to take me in if I wasn’t going to actually have the baby.
And so Denver made me a parent. With his perfectly round head and surprise appendage that made him decidedly NOT a girl, & made me wonder how in hell I was going to raise a boy.
But he was perfect.
The gorgeous blue of his eyes made me fall in love in an instant.
Everything on time. Every milestone reached at JUST the right moment. Every clothing size changing right at it’s declared time (0-3 months? Gone at three months. 3-6? Gone at six…it was eerie).
He was happy. Smart. Playful. Loving.
He was my world.
He was my mom and dad’s world.
The first born grandchild. The first born great-grandchild.
The star.
Our family grew. It changed.
Not always in the best, most fair ways for him. In truth, sometimes he was forgotten, because he was so ‘perfect’. So easy in comparison. (I hate myself for it, but it is true).
It never made him less loved.
In many ways, being the parent of a teen is infinitely harder than raising the young ones. He isn’t satisfied with easy answers. He sees the world around him in such a different light. He sees things that a younger child wouldn’t. He understands and absorbs everything. Things that I sometimes haven’t the slightest idea how to explain to him, to clarify.
Right now he is struggling, battling against an internal battle I can’t resolve for him. Fighting against the common, and always unique and personal pain of being a teenager.
But in his heart – he is a good kid. He is smart. He is still loving.
He is annoyed with his parents. Embarrassed that his mother has a tattoo and plans more. He hates failure. He strives to do his best and no one is harder on him when he fails than himself. Interested in photography. Science. Math. Writing. Cross Country.
He dreams big dreams. Of being a doctor at Riley so he can help other kids like him.
He achieves big things. Advancements in Boy Scouts, Junior Honor Society.
He struggles to fit in.
He is 15.
In so many ways.
He is my baby.
In so many ways – he always will be.
Happy birthday to my oldest, my first born.
15 is a big number. But you’re just getting started.
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After the past few months with this one…
