tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70307222047647245812024-03-05T09:34:35.576-08:00Jasmine Mariethe bookish mamaAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02814966580832820817noreply@blogger.comBlogger293125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030722204764724581.post-71661879932455566272015-12-31T06:00:00.000-08:002015-12-31T18:58:52.353-08:00Blog Tour & Review :: The Wedding Chapel by Rachel Hauck <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Title:</b> The Wedding Chapel</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Author: </b>Rachel Hauck</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Publisher: </b>Zondervan (November 2015)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><b>Source: </b>Received from publisher via <a href="http://litfusegroup.com/">LitFuse Publicity Group</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><b>Buy book: </b><a href="http://bit.ly/1RlAvCm" target="_blank">here</a></span><br />
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<strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i>For sixty years, a wedding chapel sat silent, waiting for love. But times have changed and the hour has come when it just might be too late.</i></strong></div>
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<i>Retired hall-of-fame football coach Jimmy “Coach” Westbrook never imagined anything would come of his labor of love—the wedding chapel he built for Collette Greer, the woman he fell for back in ‘49. But now an offer has come to turn the chapel into what it was meant to be—a place for love—and Jimmy sees no reason to hang onto his dream any longer.</i></div>
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<i>Photographer Taylor Branson is trying to make a life for herself in New York. Leaving her hometown of Heart’s Bend, Tennessee, she put a lot of things behind her, including her family’s abysmal marriage rate. But love surprises her when she falls head-over-heels for Jack Forester, a top ad man. Their whirlwind romance results in an elopement, and a mountain of doubt. Jack, while genuine in his love for Taylor, can never seem to overcome his own demons to find the words of his heart.</i></div>
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<i>When Taylor takes an assignment in Heart’s Bend, the job does more than send her back to her hometown, but into a world of family secrets buried beneath the sands of time.</i></div>
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When Taylor’s journey intersects with Coach’s, they rediscover the heartbeat of their dreams and that the love they long to hold is right in front of them. And worth every waiting moment.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Review:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I adored this latest book from one of my favorite authors, Rachel Hauck. Hauck has a way of writing Christian fiction in a way where faith is interwoven into the story in a very natural, realistic, relatable way. I am a huge fan of Christian fiction and that is not always easy to do. Usually the "God parts" seem weird and out of place sometimes. However, the way Hauck shows God working through all the aspects of the character's lives is refreshing because it feels authentic. It feels like something you and me deal with on a daily basis. And that is why you love Hauck's writing, because you always feel like you are right there in the story with the characters with them and you really care about them too. A lot. The love stories are never superficial, but full of romance in a way that you don't usually read about in contemporary romance. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is my fourth or fifth book that I've read from Hauck and each book just keeps getting better and better. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This latest book, The Wedding Chapel, is a treat. I love stories told from multiple perspectives because I think it makes gives it more depth. However, it's not always an easy thing to do. I know this firsthand because the novel I started during NaNoWriMo is told from two points of view. The hardest part is to give each character a unique voice that is their own and different from everyone else. Being able to maintain that for FOUR characters (and in different time periods) is a testament to Hauck's craft because she does this really well with Jimmy, Taylor, Jack, and Colette in this book. You're never confused about who is telling the story. Plus, figuring out how these characters' lives are woven into each other was so enjoyable, especially once the two major story lines start to overlap. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Each of the four characters are flawed in their own ways and they battle their own demons and insecurities. Even though you might think that it is predictable what will happen to each of them, I found myself riveted throughout the whole story because of all the unexpected twists and turns. This book also has themes of love, acceptance, family dynamics, and redemption. Hauck's masterful storytelling always takes you along a journey in her books. What a fun and charming journey this book was! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>5 out of 5 stars</i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><b>About the author:</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Rachel Hauck</strong> is an award-winning, best selling author of critically acclaimed novels such as <em>The Wedding Dress</em>, <em>Love Starts with Elle</em>, and <em>Once Upon A Prince</em>. She also penned the Songbird Novels with multi-platinum recording artist, Sara Evans. Booklist named their novel, <em>Softly and Tenderly,</em> one of 2011 Top Ten Inspirationals. She serves on the Executive Board for American Christian Fiction Writers and is a mentor and book therapist at My Book Therapy, and conference speaker. Rachel lives in central Florida with her husband and pets.<br /><br /><strong>Connect with Rachel: </strong><a alt="http://www.rachelhauck.com" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016JoWQG_vMIRoPVLxwajLB9FiDLFbL-K_jsAflh0CCg45G0SdOfVglyzvs-jSD78GW-3hvqI06LSZu2EIwBGQ25GthTSJvoWzXQa7VlOEsBLB9fejwSf3hPF5NA5Z3V44fzMmE1OLTyBj-q8-rd1P3sfg0-kJ7mMwJ3rD1dsuQ1g=&c=SW8-8p6UbzowqqzIvl3MvM8r-6z244AnjDdUKdOACWcHvUGR9hqQew==&ch=4uuQWFzK5WJeuQ7ZgI5_geTrznJS4bWJBeQdytGnjRKZGpygfTnv-g==" shape="rect" style="color: #6ba3a6; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">website</a>, <a alt="http://www.twitter.com/rachelhauck" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016JoWQG_vMIRoPVLxwajLB9FiDLFbL-K_jsAflh0CCg45G0SdOfVgl3x3B1J8EgQ5FpXQIOhpiGeMi1kTJ35PgqS-sMS32qY1npQYyMxipSr__FxyUTOSdbyUNu-NcExzmkruBpjXawU0c2AxT4Hz-BiozyLDkwXFz6j2pid36bkxKOmnuUvMZ3AN8D-LiDbP&c=SW8-8p6UbzowqqzIvl3MvM8r-6z244AnjDdUKdOACWcHvUGR9hqQew==&ch=4uuQWFzK5WJeuQ7ZgI5_geTrznJS4bWJBeQdytGnjRKZGpygfTnv-g==" shape="rect" style="color: #6ba3a6; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, <a alt="https://www.facebook.com/rachelhauck" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016JoWQG_vMIRoPVLxwajLB9FiDLFbL-K_jsAflh0CCg45G0SdOfVglyzvs-jSD78G0c8Q1AwfaGbp_c0eKLEfe4E6_1OcQrIPMazCdoYR152BPKV_R-nsNCJDEFxQDwIb77PkVrr5blxQZUOUO044nkgsuZ8DmZY4Xbj2HGRSJqscObivlI22BatKmMol1dMn&c=SW8-8p6UbzowqqzIvl3MvM8r-6z244AnjDdUKdOACWcHvUGR9hqQew==&ch=4uuQWFzK5WJeuQ7ZgI5_geTrznJS4bWJBeQdytGnjRKZGpygfTnv-g==" shape="rect" style="color: #6ba3a6; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Facebook</a></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02814966580832820817noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030722204764724581.post-17678760878603518322015-12-02T06:00:00.000-08:002015-12-02T12:52:59.270-08:00Reflections on finishing NaNoWriMo 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">FINAL WORD COUNT:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">57,919</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">So, I just finished my first attempt at NaNoWriMo!</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">HIGHS:</span></u></b></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Actually finishing 50k words in 30 days. </b>I've toyed with the idea of writing a book for about two years now and when NaNoWriMo came around this year, it just kind of snuck up on me. (Meaning, I forgot all about it until Oct. 31st.) I signed up so last minute and I made no plans at all, which is completely unlike me. I didn't think I would accomplish it this first go around, but I am so proud of myself for actually finishing! </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Writing each night on 27 out of the 30 days.</b> I am not very good at doing things a little at time, like doing a little each day. Having procrastination tendencies. I'm much more inclined to do things in bursts. However, 50k words is not really something I had time to do in bursts, so I had to force myself to write a little bit each night. Other than the time my family visited Disneyland this month, I wrote every night. It became a routine that I looked forward too. Even though it wasn't fantastic writing each night, I enjoyed having the quiet night to myself and my keyboard. </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Finally getting the story that's been in my head for years, out on paper... (or the screen). </b>I've had this idea for the book I started this month for a long, long time. Probably since college, but it felt really, really good to finally put it to real words and onto the screen. I still have a lot of work to do, but a bad first draft is better than no first draft, right?</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Remembering that I've always liked to write, even as a kid. </b>It's been awhile, but it was during this month that I remembered that I used to write books when I was kid on my mom's typewriter. I hadn't thought about it in a long, long time. I also remembered that I wrote some fan-fiction (before it was called fan-fiction) back in high school on some books I read where I wanted the girl in the story to end up with a different guy. So, maybe it's something I actually like doing. (Who knew?) </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Feeling inspired by the thousands of people doing NaNoWriMo too! </b>It was comforting to know be a part of a larger community of people doing the same thing alongside you. Twitter was a great way to connect with people. I wish I had more time to do write-ins, in person, but maybe that's something for future NaNoWriMos.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The encouragement from my friends, students, and loved ones. </b>I told everyone that I was doing this NaNoWriMo thing because I knew the more people I told, the more people would hold me accountable to finishing and not giving up. It was also great to be able to talk about my book and bounce ideas off those I trust most. Lastly, my husband was my number one fan through this endeavor. </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The roller-coaster of writing.</b> The first 20k came easy. </span></li>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">LOWS:</span></u></b></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The roller-coaster of writing. </b>The next 20k was tough. Like I wanted to chuck my whole story out the window because I just hated it that much. I also took everything and messed it all up for the last 15k. I think that's probably why I went over 50k. </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Feeling all the feels. </b>So, when I messed everything up in my story, it was after I was listening to sad music for three hours and then I gave myself a book hangover. It took me off guard how much I was invested in my characters after living with them for a month. </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Letting go of my perfectionistic tendencies. </b>I am looking forward to editing this upcoming month. It was hard at first to not go back and fix everything, but after awhile, just plowing through and being okay with the crappy writing was quite liberating. Now I just have a much longer crappy first draft to deal with, but at least I didn't spend this month rewriting the same paragraph ten times. </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Being MIA from my family and my other interests. </b>I'm pretty sure my husband is looking forward to having me go to bed at the same time as him for the first time in a month. Plus, I've spent every free moment at night to write, so I am also really looking forward to read, color, craft and watch some TV again. </span></li>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">NEXT STEPS:</span></u></b></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Edit, edit, edit... write, write, write... edit, edit, edit. </b>I hope to spend some time editing this month and then developing my story further. Now that I'm 50k words in, I feel like I can't just leave it because I've invested a whole month into it. </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Read, read, read.</b> I have craved reading so much this month because there were moments when I was so tapped for inspiration. My me-time is so limited since I have to very young children, so it was hard to do both. I am really looking forward to reading and leaning on some mentor texts for inspiration and ideas. My little journal of favorite quotes from books is in need of more quotes! </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Get over my withdrawal. </b>I think I wrote this blog post because I didn't want to break my routine of writing each night. NaNoWriMo withdrawal is very real. Even though I know I can obviously still write as much as I want to, I am looking forward to having more balance in my life again. I can see why people do this challenge over and over again though. It's like running a race. Once you finish, now you want more... </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Next year's NaNoWriMo?</b> I love that this challenge is in November because we get Veteran's Day off and a whole week at Thanksgiving. It finally starts to get cold in San Diego, and it's dark early. It's great for writing! </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cheers to all the other NaNoWriMo winners! (And to those that didn't finish too, because any writing is better than no writing at all.) </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02814966580832820817noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030722204764724581.post-86851438410295433672015-11-30T09:00:00.000-08:002015-11-30T17:07:08.537-08:00Blog Tour & Review :: The Golden Braid by Melanie Dickerson<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Title:</b> The Golden Braid</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Author: </b>Melanie Dickerson</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Publisher: </b>Nyree Press (September 2015)</span><br />
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<b>Source: </b>Received from publisher via <a href="http://litfusegroup.com/">LitFuse Publicity Group</a></span><br />
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<b>Buy book: </b><a href="http://bit.ly/1NZuPiD" target="_blank">here</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The one who needs rescuing isn’t always the one in the tower…</b> </span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rapunzel can throw a knife better than any man. She paints beautiful flowering vines on the walls of her plaster houses. She sings so sweetly she can coax even a beast to sleep. But there are two things she is afraid her mother might never allow her to do: learn to read and marry. </span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fiercely devoted to Rapunzel, her mother is suspicious of every man who so much as looks at her daughter and warns her that no man can be trusted. After a young village farmer asks for Rapunzel’s hand in marriage, Mother decides to move them once again—this time, to the large city of Hagenheim. </span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The journey proves treacherous, and after being rescued by a knight—Sir Gerek—Rapunzel, in turn, rescues him farther down the road. As a result, Sir Gerek agrees to repay his debt to Rapunzel by teaching her to read. Could there be more to him than his arrogance and desire to marry for riches and position? </span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As Rapunzel acclimates to life in a new city, she uncovers a mystery that will forever change her life. In this Rapunzel story unlike any other, a world of secrets and treachery are about to be revealed after seventeen years. How will Rapunzel finally take control of her own destiny? And who will prove faithful to a lowly peasant girl with no one to turn to?</span></blockquote>
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</span><b>Review:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What a delightful read! This is my first Melanie Dickerson book and I'm happy to hear that she has five more in the Hagenheim series. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you are looking for a sweet love story, fairy-tale retelling of Rapunzel mixed with some Christian fiction, this is perfect for you. The dialogue is witty, the action and adventure is paced well, and the Christian message behind everything isn't too preachy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My daughters and I love watching Tangled and when I signed up for this blog tour, I was curious to see what Dickerson's take on this fairy-tale would be. I am happy to say that her take on the story was definitely an original one and still very interesting. Rapunzel's character really spoke to me because she is searching for who she truly is, in a coming-of-age story. I love when people write princesses who are bold and adventurous, versus dainty and weak. Rapunzel is definitely no damsel in distress in this book, but she was still feminine and vulnerable too. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mother Gothel was truly evil in this rendition, even more so than in the Disney version, in my opinion. I love the storyline with Rapunzel going against her mother to learn to read. It was a unique take on her relationship with her mother and later, Sir Gerek, who was</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> definitely swoon-worthy, especially once the two of them start to rely more on God's guidance instead of their own.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also enjoyed that this book felt very much like a historical fiction one with all the references to different time period in Germany. It was fun to learn about the different customs and traditions. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My only critique is that there times when the book bordered a little too closely to being cheesy at times, or cliched rather, but once I got over that, it was still very enjoyable. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Looking forward to checking out Dickerson's other titles!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><i>4 out of 5 stars</i></span></div>
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<b>About the author:</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="text-align: left;">Melanie Dickerson</strong><span style="text-align: left;"> is the author of </span><em style="text-align: left;">The Healer's Apprentice,</em><span style="text-align: left;"> a Christy Award finalist and winner of the National Reader's Choice Award for Best First Book. Melanie earned a bachelor's degree in special education from the University of Alabama and has been a teacher and a missionary. She lives with her husband and two daughters in Huntsville, Alabama.</span><br style="text-align: left;" /><br style="text-align: left;" /><strong style="text-align: left;">Connect with Melanie: </strong><a alt="http://www.melaniedickerson.com" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001WK1_-bmQ7bkz6MDfkluw8oZ0NAxymFoLAufNJa2_0h4UB2Bo9NSQU6pJZeOv9o6fIahiPyq3lZmqWjBSWN_mYXRmxXY5v4TeLVoJ8xAzk85uOb0LRLgBCwEueJVyYYa_RbZ7meemc9h_WccJF63Tj17-Ok-0COeyy6YpD6v2mCaBPb1iHSPOtQ==&c=KU4KkFLo0G4kBUn5M7uhrs2CiY6pPuh7oiYhY15AEnGz8WBBW1pNww==&ch=_wnOz95SV_zj2Def81qgnViPJFbwNuBA8yFcRd446ZtOQa91ZgrKPQ==" shape="rect" style="color: #6ba3a6; text-align: left;" target="_blank">website</a><span style="text-align: left;">, </span><a alt="https://twitter.com/melanieauthor" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001WK1_-bmQ7bkz6MDfkluw8oZ0NAxymFoLAufNJa2_0h4UB2Bo9NSQU6pJZeOv9o6fOAArb9i9YijphCcpZ7_SukKUa2prxAsTo_GX1CclxD6abdSOyowpFJmw890Q8x1AEdAWo5AeSxLFih-pX4YPM1IF2wNjhWmBYGdmUPmgtuCSpMdTaf3Dcw==&c=KU4KkFLo0G4kBUn5M7uhrs2CiY6pPuh7oiYhY15AEnGz8WBBW1pNww==&ch=_wnOz95SV_zj2Def81qgnViPJFbwNuBA8yFcRd446ZtOQa91ZgrKPQ==" shape="rect" style="color: #6ba3a6; text-align: left;" target="_blank">Twitter</a><span style="text-align: left;">,</span><a alt="https://www.facebook.com/MelanieDickersonBooks" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001WK1_-bmQ7bkz6MDfkluw8oZ0NAxymFoLAufNJa2_0h4UB2Bo9NSQU0a2euIGan7LxqfPtZDl1plHoOgldDzzmRyuePK78HmEQhhMtiJ7Fk2wJ_3jxWYDER-OVk2_WoaA6yGR5wNjZ8jyITbKXkpx-Zh5vnk06PfoEY-fC4S0dXAxFHqViFdbp8-x_Uh9069H2HQ07IFpYbI=&c=KU4KkFLo0G4kBUn5M7uhrs2CiY6pPuh7oiYhY15AEnGz8WBBW1pNww==&ch=_wnOz95SV_zj2Def81qgnViPJFbwNuBA8yFcRd446ZtOQa91ZgrKPQ==" shape="rect" style="color: #6ba3a6; text-align: left;" target="_blank">Facebook,</a><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><a alt="https://www.youtube.com/user/MedievalMelanie" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001WK1_-bmQ7bkz6MDfkluw8oZ0NAxymFoLAufNJa2_0h4UB2Bo9NSQU6pJZeOv9o6f_CzCeZJP3c2nSvusfn2hcdcYgYQQmEoI3Qy45IQx5sgm2w19UiJpy9qbGZZWtDguHXbqKJBroMPPePP-UkCoaXC1KGojXIkPF-i4aCsmHQafQ1qjN3nSx0dl0SyJ1bowbBj8fhXjfZw=&c=KU4KkFLo0G4kBUn5M7uhrs2CiY6pPuh7oiYhY15AEnGz8WBBW1pNww==&ch=_wnOz95SV_zj2Def81qgnViPJFbwNuBA8yFcRd446ZtOQa91ZgrKPQ==" shape="rect" style="color: #6ba3a6; text-align: left;" target="_blank">YouTube</a></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02814966580832820817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030722204764724581.post-73704553373262927402015-09-23T06:00:00.000-07:002015-09-23T10:17:30.070-07:00Blog Tour & Review :: The Finishing School by Valerie Woerner <div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Title:</b> The Finishing School</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Author: </b>Valerie Woerner </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Publisher: </b>Nyree Press (September 2015)</span><br />
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<b>Source: </b>Received from publisher via <a href="http://litfusegroup.com/">LitFuse Publicity Group</a></span><br />
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<b>Buy book: </b><a href="http://www.valmariepaper.com/the-finishing-school/" target="_blank">here</a></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Are you tired of waiting for change to happen in your life? Do you feel stuck, even though you want to live more intentionally?</i></span></b></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> In today’s world, our most precious pursuit of a life well lived gets squeezed out by the silliest of things: binging on Netflix or ice cream, shopping trips for things we don’t need, bad habits we can’t seem to get a handle on, and so much more. Valerie has been there despite knowing what she wanted for her life. Actually do it? That’s the challenge.</i></span><br />
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After gobbling up all the non-fiction and self-help books her donut-filled belly could handle, she decided it was time to put her knowledge to good use and start actually living it out. You will hear about her journey through victories and plenty of failures and find practical tips to apply to your own pursuit of holiness. You will find homework at the end of each chapter that includes a worksheet to put real change in motion for your own life as well as recommended books to further study those topics that really test you.</i></span></blockquote>
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</span><b>Review:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've been in a funk. Stuck in a rut that is so deep that all I could see was the next step in front of me, but nothing else. Moving aimlessly in the endless routine of day in and day out as a working mother with no relief in sight. </span><br />
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I think that's why I absolutely adored this book. It's the book that I wish I had written because it was everything that I needed in my life right now. So much of what she wrote in this book resonated with me. Fellow book nerd, knowledge junkie? Check and check! </span><br />
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I've been following Valerie on Instagram (<a href="https://instagram.com/valmariepaper/" target="_blank">@valmariepaper</a>) for awhile now. I've always found her posts not only beautiful, but inspirational. I love her prayer journals and have been eyeing them for a long time. There was a period of my life (early in my marriage and pre-kids), when I would diligently keep a prayer journal. It was probably the time of my life when I felt the closest to God. In all honesty, I miss it. I miss Him terribly. This book has inspired me to start a new one again.</span><br />
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What I appreciated about this book is that each chapter was a quick, succinct guide to different areas of your life: joy, friendship, self-control, margin, etc. My favorite guides were to habits, balance, and comparison because they are the current demons that are at the most forefront of my life right now. </span><br />
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Valerie writes in a way that is totally relatable, real, and at times humorous. It felt like sitting at a coffee shop with a close friend and bonding over common struggles of daily life. I think the Enemy wants nothing more than to make you think that you are alone in your daily trials and tribulations to make you feel isolated and like you're fighting the battles with your own sheer willpower and strength (or weaknesses, rather). It feels validating and refreshing to know that I am not alone and even though my journey and pursuit towards holiness in my walk with Christ will not be perfect, at least I know that I've got God on my side. I really don't think I'll ever be the same after reading this book and I'm thankful that I had the chance to read it through Litfuse. I am looking forward to the next steps in my journey as a Christ-follower, wife, mother, and woman. Thank you Valerie, for writing this book that spoke directly to my heart. </span><br />
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I zipped through this book a little faster than I would have liked because I didn't have "balance" in my life, but I plan on rereading it again, slower... to savor each chapter and read it more like a devotional. I highly recommend reading this book like a devotional. That way, you have time to let the lessons of each guide sink in. I can also see this being a great book to study together in a study group of women in a bible study/small group environment. </span><br />
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Lastly, I also appreciated that she also provided free homework worksheets and resources on her website to go deeper with the material. Please check out her website at: <a href="http://www.valmariepaper.com./" target="_blank">http://www.valmariepaper.com.</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>5 out of 5 stars</i></span></div>
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<b>About the author:</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Valerie Woerner <span style="text-align: left;">is owner of Val Marie Paper. She and her husband, Tyler, live in Louisiana with their daughter, Vivi Mae. </span><em style="text-align: left;">The Finishing School </em><span style="text-align: left;">is her first book.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><strong>Connect with Valerie:</strong> <a alt="http://www.valmariepaper.com" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001RJYepcPT0AIZ4qvsh_YoXMOMJOBLzByFVUkyfgAWHQUj7Nu1h_-JYYKp6nxhNQS2OnPCeNXegcwxlKdyo4GUCbz3JxKJRYcAi0rVSmuEL0j66W-6uXiagHAbLRb4bPdLh7EH1LBSmtt7Q1Mq9QvEuwai4VUf1R4ESERwZfbvs8iqdet8vLMItw==&c=AJkE1c6HjowzW8Ikz5HXr9uPbZWSdjys_t2EnRTUjkOM2QMmFogLhw==&ch=rwfCVkN7--a-uInGac_kMQKm9WY5DfA33uvHd0MRkW7W_P23rPGWuQ==" shape="rect" style="color: #6ba3a6;" target="_blank">website</a>, <a alt="https://www.twitter.com/valmariepaper" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001RJYepcPT0AIZ4qvsh_YoXMOMJOBLzByFVUkyfgAWHQUj7Nu1h_-JYdpw8w_twyhFeIxNLt5hWwB6lpWYWSF2gy4viywNdYFA8KeXmQYSxIQZ-H6EqjrmGbuBDWFxzwgCc7lphYbVYZFiA_iBG492znuM-HYSfkQtvlL5ySRUFbyfsMU2FaZWkgNejDaasJJ6&c=AJkE1c6HjowzW8Ikz5HXr9uPbZWSdjys_t2EnRTUjkOM2QMmFogLhw==&ch=rwfCVkN7--a-uInGac_kMQKm9WY5DfA33uvHd0MRkW7W_P23rPGWuQ==" shape="rect" style="color: #6ba3a6;" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, <a alt="http://www.instagram.com/valmariepaper/" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001RJYepcPT0AIZ4qvsh_YoXMOMJOBLzByFVUkyfgAWHQUj7Nu1h_-JYdpw8w_twyhFMMx9deggTEdOjeaEc03w3xb0Iue1pMsTUVSx_k4smBMPdmrBX-orq5jQ36Lc5VjySY0kq3FGrCM_ltZx8huYt025D5pqICY-tJnbr9g_DWafSF6-pSyK01n3isxwLaFG&c=AJkE1c6HjowzW8Ikz5HXr9uPbZWSdjys_t2EnRTUjkOM2QMmFogLhw==&ch=rwfCVkN7--a-uInGac_kMQKm9WY5DfA33uvHd0MRkW7W_P23rPGWuQ==" shape="rect" style="color: #6ba3a6;" target="_blank">Instagram</a></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02814966580832820817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030722204764724581.post-83731722767061153352015-07-11T09:00:00.000-07:002015-07-12T16:53:05.013-07:00Blog Tour & Review :: Picture Perfect Love by Melissa McClone<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Title:</b> Picture Perfect Love</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Author: </b>Melissa McClone</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Publisher: </b>Zondervan Books (May 2015)</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Source: </b>Received from publisher via <a href="http://litfusegroup.com/">LitFuse Publicity Group</a></span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Buy book: </b><a href="http://bit.ly/1JJZY8s" target="_blank">here</a></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">About the Book:</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"><b><i>When image becomes everything, it's up to love to refocus the heart.</i></b></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">Photographer Jenna Harrison wants every bride and groom to look picture perfect on their special day, putting her heart into every wedding to give the couple memorable images of their love. But her own heart is still broken, the unworn wedding dress hanging in her closet a reminder that relationships aren't always as perfect as they look through her camera lens. But Jenna has faith that she will find true love. Until then, she must be patient and trust in God's plan and His perfect timing.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">Attorney Ashton Vance is the one that got away. When an embarrassing Photoshopped picture of put an end to his political aspirations, he blamed Jenna. So what if the photo led to his being offered a dream job and changing his life for the better? Jenna betrayed his trust, and two years later, Ashton's heart still hasn't recovered.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">It was me.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"> His younger sister's three words turn Ashton's world upside down. He must ask Jenna's forgiveness, but can he risk his heart a second time? Even if Jenna can forgive him, dare he hope for a second chance at her love?</span></i></span></blockquote>
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</span></span> <b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Review:</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the things I liked about the book was the premise of the book. Being a Christian wedding photographer myself, it definitely stood out to me and spoke to me. I also enjoyed that it was a story about redemption and second chances, especially because I like to believe that I am a fan of forgiveness and that people can really change. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, the story itself was a little too straightforward for me. Maybe because it was a novella, but I felt like the story was too rushed and the characters were underdeveloped. Consequently, it was challenging to really care about the characters. When Ashton shows up in the story, Jenna almost immediately starts to forgive him even though she spent the last two years piecing her life back together. All it took was him repaying her for the wedding that should have been. He should have done that the moment he called off the wedding and she should have made him! Then, what angered me even more was that Ashton actually needed a "third chance" from Jenna later on in the book! I think Jenna deserved better. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's a good thing that God's love is more unconditional than mine because in this story, He obviously changed Jenna's heart and provided her with a spirit of forgiveness, even though I can't really say that I would have done the same thing if I were in her shoes. This story had a lot of potential, but it lacked the depth I was looking for. </span><br />
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</span> <b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">About the author:</span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4jrjlLDRqfkMTvbcmRj5UjZR4NlwHMTbIcPigGFD_82Z_Lc3W1ZxLg8JdVeXpkzScU2N3rHPjmYg8kRnZQ3UOSrnQJxPSuifIUY_6YOlp2MXOEbGNoVqF14YlB395O6lrYMrnDK6-1Hi/s1600/unnamed.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4jrjlLDRqfkMTvbcmRj5UjZR4NlwHMTbIcPigGFD_82Z_Lc3W1ZxLg8JdVeXpkzScU2N3rHPjmYg8kRnZQ3UOSrnQJxPSuifIUY_6YOlp2MXOEbGNoVqF14YlB395O6lrYMrnDK6-1Hi/s200/unnamed.png" width="131" /></a><strong style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333330154419px;">Melissa McClone</strong><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333330154419px;"> has published more than thirty novels with Harlequin and Tule Publishing Group. She has also been nominated for Romance Writers of America's RITA® award. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, three school-aged children, two spoiled Norwegian Elkhounds and cats who think they rule the house.</span></div>
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<strong style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333330154419px;">Find Melissa online:</strong><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333330154419px;"> </span><a alt="http://www.melissamcclone.com" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001gDEXz4uN1GPYMPtnMzP4YT2fDqiEeTus-aS2o3wJHgC-strZs_i-hqeMxBqHIkus1K67tTAYgm9bHhoVuNEL6jsYt_sSv2sNZ-Pp7iaGva2MyPTvgROuiqr-3U8PaUBmlpCGpu-GKr9hnbcVdcJDkD0U0eL4nJrxHHlh9Nb57DIEu537g2YHXA==&c=16MjIac91H2sITQDBZqBWTb2-OOthe-b7c99E58wStNx35Bw4lKrmg==&ch=OEd3o4DHJM4XUQTBpdBRYXwqGUGEh5K0pNp8Qkfek7ppamR-j8zmKQ==" shape="rect" style="background-color: white; color: #6ba3a6; font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333330154419px;" target="_blank">website</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333330154419px;">, </span><a alt="http://twitter.com/melissamcclone" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001gDEXz4uN1GPYMPtnMzP4YT2fDqiEeTus-aS2o3wJHgC-strZs_i-hqeMxBqHIkusXnzBXYeXJ-BjKx5hRgSuLfNt9GxWQEYsC6ZEAzUTgpE5ootEsk883MNsabb2WsK4xzJt1fLMnISDvvLPemmJIe-N6M8i-TaYk-MrEyWJ4-UMM5ElRx6eYg==&c=16MjIac91H2sITQDBZqBWTb2-OOthe-b7c99E58wStNx35Bw4lKrmg==&ch=OEd3o4DHJM4XUQTBpdBRYXwqGUGEh5K0pNp8Qkfek7ppamR-j8zmKQ==" shape="rect" style="background-color: white; color: #6ba3a6; font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333330154419px;" target="_blank">Twitter</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333330154419px;">, </span><a alt="https://www.facebook.com/MelissaMcCloneBooks" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001gDEXz4uN1GPYMPtnMzP4YT2fDqiEeTus-aS2o3wJHgC-strZs_i-hqeMxBqHIkusIJRU5KA4T1tfZL1JiRPFR40TYJp7Qzk4Rfqm-MdEkjMwuFf9h6BwblQuSPg-AnrsYc9Ye_SZCjnM58ktdHTSs_wiXnslWygnapuLin0E0S0IuTwwqJXNkqcJwin-2HNb2WcK3vc1rak=&c=16MjIac91H2sITQDBZqBWTb2-OOthe-b7c99E58wStNx35Bw4lKrmg==&ch=OEd3o4DHJM4XUQTBpdBRYXwqGUGEh5K0pNp8Qkfek7ppamR-j8zmKQ==" shape="rect" style="background-color: white; color: #6ba3a6; font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'ITC Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333330154419px;" target="_blank">Facebook</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02814966580832820817noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030722204764724581.post-9233143085095360152015-03-24T11:34:00.001-07:002015-03-24T11:34:17.994-07:00#SOL15 Day 24 :: March 24, 2015 :: The One with 100 Club<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-size: 14.8500003814697px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px; text-align: center;">
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<i><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The March Slice of Life Story Challenge</span></b></i></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i><b>hosted </b></i><i><b>at the </b></i></span></i><i><i><b><a href="http://twowritingteachers.wordpress.com/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-decoration: none;">Two Writing Teachers</a></b></i></i></span></div>
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<i><i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Join us for a month of writing!</span></b></i></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">100 Club</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I've been a little MIA from SOL from a few days. I started Spring Break and just kind of fell of the face of the Earth. It's been a good thing because I've been able to have some quality family time and even though it kind of bothers me that I can't say that I wrote for EVERY single day of March, I think I needed to unplug completely and now I feel ready to finish the rest of the month.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am not an athletic person. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I do have the inner drive to always be active. I am happy and content to sit still, read my book, and not move for hours at a time if I don't need to. My husband, on the other hand, gets stir crazy if he doesn't go for a run after a few days. Then again, he runs for fun and I have convinced myself that I am simply not built to run. It's just a fact.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When Pure Barre opened in my neighborhood, I was curious about it because I've always enjoyed yoga and Pilates. In addition, for years, I have lusted after having a dancer's body. Long, lean, and beautiful without being bulky. However, I am also not rhythmically-inclined either. I am too self-conscious to let loose and be okay with my uncoordinated dance moves. So, when I signed up for PB, I know I surprised my husband, but I definitely surprised myself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After the first class, I wanted to quit. I felt like it was so hard and I was discouraged because I knew I wasn't going to be good at it, but I was SO bad at it. Thankfully, with the encouragement of my husband, I kept at it and started getting better and better at it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Having two young kids, it is so hard to carve out time to go work out. I have to coordinate with my husband's schedule, my schedule, and it can definitely be a challenge to find a few hours, several times a week for myself. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The final 10 classes to 100 was a hard one. I tore a muscle and it still hasn't healed even though it's been over a month now. My kids have gone through three rounds of being sick every couple of weeks. My husband and I have both been sick ourselves. So it seems like it's been a conspiracy against me getting to 100 the past few months. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But finally, this Saturday, I finished my 100 class. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I did it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I really did it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I knew I could do it, but I wasn't sure if I would follow-through long enough to make it to 100. I am so proud of myself and even that it hard to say sometimes. I often talk myself out of my accomplishments. Comparison is the death of me, sometimes. But, I did it. And even though it wasn't on the timeline I had originally wanted, it doesn't take away from the fact that I did it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's to 250. </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02814966580832820817noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030722204764724581.post-23486248458906201832015-03-20T18:43:00.003-07:002015-03-20T18:43:44.202-07:00#SOL15 Day 20 :: March 20, 2015 :: The One with TGIF<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-size: 14.8500003814697px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMXM-QJqttQYnTGZ6372WuXhiEVlBbhNoqMtv0EhBTWQdSEv6vtAIJ5vgAr7sbk-obSTFfbzqjDhQSj3c_ssvDQx-59xNQDZ2dZAoHuCSrOR-s4MrOG-hCQ5eAAHn_8n0t920qCsNAYI/s1600/11454297503_e27946e4ff_h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMXM-QJqttQYnTGZ6372WuXhiEVlBbhNoqMtv0EhBTWQdSEv6vtAIJ5vgAr7sbk-obSTFfbzqjDhQSj3c_ssvDQx-59xNQDZ2dZAoHuCSrOR-s4MrOG-hCQ5eAAHn_8n0t920qCsNAYI/s1600/11454297503_e27946e4ff_h.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" /></span></a></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The March Slice of Life Story Challenge</span></b></i></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i><b>hosted </b></i><i><b>at the </b></i></span></i><i><i><b><a href="http://twowritingteachers.wordpress.com/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-decoration: none;">Two Writing Teachers</a></b></i></i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcZ21QWR16_rGY-dAPMbkk8z7v7upEjIRvs5OJ-ha4TwTA7zOkExeXouGAhyphenhyphenFAfJCALglGHuLVosKlY5Zeji4UTZzdXZTePnXdRL39VhyphenhypheneTjNBpgk6gN1c0Nye-KTTMdIQb60P3nfoHiYF/s1600/Photo+Mar+20,+2+28+10+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcZ21QWR16_rGY-dAPMbkk8z7v7upEjIRvs5OJ-ha4TwTA7zOkExeXouGAhyphenhyphenFAfJCALglGHuLVosKlY5Zeji4UTZzdXZTePnXdRL39VhyphenhypheneTjNBpgk6gN1c0Nye-KTTMdIQb60P3nfoHiYF/s1600/Photo+Mar+20,+2+28+10+PM.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank God it's Friday. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank God that Spring Break is finally here!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank God for my McMillin family that I get to work with each day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank God for my students who challenge me each day, in both good and bad ways.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank God for my husband who puts up with his stressed out wife and sees her at her ugliest moments, but loves her nonetheless.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank God for my baby girls who give the best cuddles and snuggles that brighten my day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">Thank God for caffeine to pick me up when I have no more energy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank God for Pure Barre to help me de-stress when the day's burdens weigh me down.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank God for my Bible Study family who provide fellowship, prayer, and friendship on a weekly basis.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank God for longer days, which means more time to play in the backyard and evening walks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank God for my work wifey who always knows when I need a hug.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank God for time to replenish my spirit, spend time with family, work on projects, finish some books, and rejuvenate my soul.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you God, for everything.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02814966580832820817noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030722204764724581.post-50430089957983826492015-03-19T17:04:00.002-07:002015-03-19T17:04:34.277-07:00#SOL15 Day 19 :: March 19, 2015 :: The One with Color Wheels<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-size: 14.8500003814697px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMXM-QJqttQYnTGZ6372WuXhiEVlBbhNoqMtv0EhBTWQdSEv6vtAIJ5vgAr7sbk-obSTFfbzqjDhQSj3c_ssvDQx-59xNQDZ2dZAoHuCSrOR-s4MrOG-hCQ5eAAHn_8n0t920qCsNAYI/s1600/11454297503_e27946e4ff_h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMXM-QJqttQYnTGZ6372WuXhiEVlBbhNoqMtv0EhBTWQdSEv6vtAIJ5vgAr7sbk-obSTFfbzqjDhQSj3c_ssvDQx-59xNQDZ2dZAoHuCSrOR-s4MrOG-hCQ5eAAHn_8n0t920qCsNAYI/s1600/11454297503_e27946e4ff_h.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" /></span></a></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The March Slice of Life Story Challenge</span></b></i></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i><b>hosted </b></i><i><b>at the </b></i></span></i><i><i><b><a href="http://twowritingteachers.wordpress.com/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-decoration: none;">Two Writing Teachers</a></b></i></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Color Wheels</span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy7Fj66deSsGrXWkgylkLZWw8l9vHr4IOxFJr98sku4zcNeoEmeuwU0ZSecxT2gzaQM4MlgwnyHgPmUGQ5jsBi4g3DE3H8_oVkw6WqDzVgZeRsezRp4QVilZ_ca2Tnsdm-q73EevUDYGsK/s1600/Photo+Mar+19,+1+05+41+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy7Fj66deSsGrXWkgylkLZWw8l9vHr4IOxFJr98sku4zcNeoEmeuwU0ZSecxT2gzaQM4MlgwnyHgPmUGQ5jsBi4g3DE3H8_oVkw6WqDzVgZeRsezRp4QVilZ_ca2Tnsdm-q73EevUDYGsK/s1600/Photo+Mar+19,+1+05+41+PM.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>"This is so much fun!"</i></div>
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<i>"Mrs. Ko, you should be an art teacher. You're so good at art."</i></div>
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<i>"Look at my colors! I really like my red-violet color."</i></div>
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We are finally winding down from the quarter and we are now officially just one day away from Spring Break. The weeks leading up to break always feel like three times longer and I am just happy that the light at the end of the tunnel is starting to shine brightly now.</div>
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We decided to do some artwork with our kids, using what we learned from the art training over the weekend, to wrap up our almost year-long read-aloud on the book <i>Wonder</i>. </div>
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Just like many teachers, art is definitely become something that we do less and less of in the classroom. Unfortunately, with so many things to do, it's pretty much nonexistent in our day to day schedule. Whenever, I get the chance to do art with my students, I am always pleasantly reminded of how much they just <b>LOVE</b> it. They are <i>so</i> quiet and alert. (I wish they were like that for all of my lessons!) </div>
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I mentioned to them that we would be doing an art activity in the morning and they tried so hard to be super well-behaved throughout the morning, so that we could hurry up and finish our "must-do's" to get to our FUN! I had so many kids stay in from recess to help set up materials and clean up after-school. I felt a little bad that we haven't given our students many of these opportunities to just sit back and enjoy art. I</div>
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We mixed colors today and tomorrow, we will be working on our self-portraits. I can't wait to see how they turn out. </div>
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It was so much fun to let loose and have FUN with my kids today. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02814966580832820817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030722204764724581.post-24265964927009026062015-03-18T20:58:00.002-07:002015-03-19T16:52:59.454-07:00#SOL15 Day 18 :: March 18, 2015 :: The One with Wings and Things<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-size: 14.8500003814697px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Wings and Things</span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGajkiIJT1xfJxGfjCvvR9LOMZZM8ovfaIJoNmD5xuSBAWarl3sptJhrvIGyVmLsA5mIshhzvXUY4R07wGgdyR_Dmj9p_X6ZnaHPmxdK28TAoPZ1reSg8TRuhA32CTgLEVmwgtm42QZiXA/s1600/Photo+Mar+18,+7+30+04+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGajkiIJT1xfJxGfjCvvR9LOMZZM8ovfaIJoNmD5xuSBAWarl3sptJhrvIGyVmLsA5mIshhzvXUY4R07wGgdyR_Dmj9p_X6ZnaHPmxdK28TAoPZ1reSg8TRuhA32CTgLEVmwgtm42QZiXA/s1600/Photo+Mar+18,+7+30+04+PM.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
Whoever says that beer and wings are just for boys is so wrong.<br />
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I just came back from a great night with my girls and we had so much fun. It was much-needed and I'm so glad we made time for it.<br />
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One of the best things about our bible study group is that we've become a family away from home. It is really hard to raise kids without family around and I'm so thankful that we have our bible study family to be around and help us raise our girls.<br />
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Every quarter or so, we do a men's night and a women's night. This time we went to Buffalo Wild Wings. We ate, watched some March Madness, talked about motherhood, shared about how hard military life is... True fellowship.<br />
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I am so thankful for these women.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02814966580832820817noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030722204764724581.post-52187696193235734482015-03-17T20:52:00.001-07:002015-03-17T20:59:56.284-07:00#SOL15 Day 17 :: March 17, 2015 :: The One Where I Kiss Adam Levine<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMXM-QJqttQYnTGZ6372WuXhiEVlBbhNoqMtv0EhBTWQdSEv6vtAIJ5vgAr7sbk-obSTFfbzqjDhQSj3c_ssvDQx-59xNQDZ2dZAoHuCSrOR-s4MrOG-hCQ5eAAHn_8n0t920qCsNAYI/s1600/11454297503_e27946e4ff_h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMXM-QJqttQYnTGZ6372WuXhiEVlBbhNoqMtv0EhBTWQdSEv6vtAIJ5vgAr7sbk-obSTFfbzqjDhQSj3c_ssvDQx-59xNQDZ2dZAoHuCSrOR-s4MrOG-hCQ5eAAHn_8n0t920qCsNAYI/s1600/11454297503_e27946e4ff_h.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" /></span></a></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The March Slice of Life Story Challenge</span></b></i></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i><b>hosted </b></i><i><b>at the </b></i></span></i><i><i><b><a href="http://twowritingteachers.wordpress.com/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-decoration: none;">Two Writing Teachers</a></b></i></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Kissing Adam Levine</span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXyt9ZBCeMadf1fFGzn8bV7W_wedwKF60niavo5CWAoozJumdLZJJgK3eu-b0k1B53pRZ8M3Cm_BySNqxVFlFCKJ4K8xFAdgKTIecLJMe86v_UBgMoP_wTbvdM2uyXG8JQhwcjL8mxTUqN/s1600/640_adam_levine_vevo_011415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXyt9ZBCeMadf1fFGzn8bV7W_wedwKF60niavo5CWAoozJumdLZJJgK3eu-b0k1B53pRZ8M3Cm_BySNqxVFlFCKJ4K8xFAdgKTIecLJMe86v_UBgMoP_wTbvdM2uyXG8JQhwcjL8mxTUqN/s1600/640_adam_levine_vevo_011415.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
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I usually have really bad dreams. Like the awful, wake up crying kind of dreams that take awhile for me to snap out of. They usually involve me running away from something, being chased by someone, or trying to figure out where my husband is.</div>
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Very rarely do I ever have a dream where something pleasant happens. I actually don't remember the last time I had a pleasant dream. </div>
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So last night/this morning, I had a dream that someone told me where Maroon 5 was practicing, so I decided to go. I thought a lot of people were going to be there, but no one showed up. It ended up being me and a few of my friends hanging out with the band at this random beach house in Orange County.</div>
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Not sure what happened in between, but apparently one thing led to another and I ended up kissing Adam Levine! </div>
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Talk about dream come true! I've had a crush on him for so long now, ever since <i>Songs About Jane </i>came out way back in college. </div>
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I don't remember what happened afterwards, but then I found out later that he also made out with one of my closest friends. Apparently, Adam gave them something for their car as a gift. Surprisingly, I wasn't upset about it. </div>
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When I woke up, I was so shocked that I actually had a happy dream that I was super eager to share with my husband (who is very much aware of my crush on Adam Levine). </div>
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<i>"Honey! I dreamt I kissed Adam Levine!" </i></div>
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<i>"Oh yeah? What happened?"</i></div>
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<i>"I don't know, but we made out. Then I found out that he also made out with (my friend) and he gave them a rooftop storage thing for their car as a gift." </i></div>
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<i>"Well, you should have asked him for a minivan!" </i></div>
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(We've had minivan "fever" for about a year now. Sexy, right?) </div>
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On a side note, I want to make it clear that I love my husband, Adam Ko. He's truly the best Adam of them all. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02814966580832820817noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030722204764724581.post-54243792268443168732015-03-16T18:59:00.001-07:002015-03-17T20:53:56.463-07:00#SOL15 Day 16 :: March 16, 2015 :: The One with Prayers<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-size: 14.8500003814697px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i><b>hosted </b></i><i><b>at the </b></i></span></i><i><i><b><a href="http://twowritingteachers.wordpress.com/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-decoration: none;">Two Writing Teachers</a></b></i></i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcgLwYi7lv1UxpuAYDRzDZHpJaZdDuYQl6JAytSSNZJ9wlGnPfGtTbWDt-_KJVnCv2Juc11h86lIxxkFB_los-k1OQ57OZwTdCM7mS6cf_F5e3vrbHiPvOEgmLSxQRFFy4A4SqVF2O4d0j/s1600/Photo+Mar+07,+9+27+58+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcgLwYi7lv1UxpuAYDRzDZHpJaZdDuYQl6JAytSSNZJ9wlGnPfGtTbWDt-_KJVnCv2Juc11h86lIxxkFB_los-k1OQ57OZwTdCM7mS6cf_F5e3vrbHiPvOEgmLSxQRFFy4A4SqVF2O4d0j/s1600/Photo+Mar+07,+9+27+58+AM.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our faith in God is one of the cornerstones of our family. Raising our children to know and love God is something we strive to do as parents. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the things that we've been doing since they were babies is praying with them on a regular basis.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We just started a few months ago to do a nightly Bible study/prayer time before bed on a regular basis together. Each person gets to pray and it's been so sweet to hear their prayers. So young, pure, but sincere. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Audrey's prayer</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(my younger daughter)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Hai. (Hello)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Geez-sus (Jesus)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Tay-too (Thank you)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>MMmmennn. (Amen)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Lily's prayer</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Dear Lord,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Thank you for this great day.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Thank you for seatwork and that we have no school on Saturday and Sunday.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Thank you for Audrey.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Thank you for breakfasts, lunch, and dinner... and for dessert, if we finish our dinner.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Thank you for Mommy and Daddy.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Thank you for this beautiful day.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>In Jesus' name</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Amen.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you for our beautiful girls, Lord. We praise you for blessing us with them. </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02814966580832820817noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030722204764724581.post-82634908588602648342015-03-15T17:17:00.001-07:002015-03-17T20:54:28.681-07:00#SOL15 Day 15 :: March 15, 2015 :: The One with Mornings with Mommy<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-size: 14.8500003814697px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMXM-QJqttQYnTGZ6372WuXhiEVlBbhNoqMtv0EhBTWQdSEv6vtAIJ5vgAr7sbk-obSTFfbzqjDhQSj3c_ssvDQx-59xNQDZ2dZAoHuCSrOR-s4MrOG-hCQ5eAAHn_8n0t920qCsNAYI/s1600/11454297503_e27946e4ff_h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMXM-QJqttQYnTGZ6372WuXhiEVlBbhNoqMtv0EhBTWQdSEv6vtAIJ5vgAr7sbk-obSTFfbzqjDhQSj3c_ssvDQx-59xNQDZ2dZAoHuCSrOR-s4MrOG-hCQ5eAAHn_8n0t920qCsNAYI/s1600/11454297503_e27946e4ff_h.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" /></span></a></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The March Slice of Life Story Challenge</span></b></i></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i><b>hosted </b></i><i><b>at the </b></i></span></i><i><i><b><a href="http://twowritingteachers.wordpress.com/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-decoration: none;">Two Writing Teachers</a></b></i></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Mornings with Mommy</span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJIE8h-eXNh_YN2nTmnaeF9lLZ6KtyLm5JHr2cs1YCSmZqoihmHpa-ChlCZd8stwWZnNp7kJIjSO_bVGQr3tm92_L51YIAFN2EmOm0um8naf2UVq2jz6m7M6meWqz1z_IATG3nwoznDwlM/s1600/Photo+Mar+14,+7+05+22+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJIE8h-eXNh_YN2nTmnaeF9lLZ6KtyLm5JHr2cs1YCSmZqoihmHpa-ChlCZd8stwWZnNp7kJIjSO_bVGQr3tm92_L51YIAFN2EmOm0um8naf2UVq2jz6m7M6meWqz1z_IATG3nwoznDwlM/s1600/Photo+Mar+14,+7+05+22+AM.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am not a morning person. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am not even good at faking it, being a morning person.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am grouchy. Pouty. Whiny. It's not pretty. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am a night owl, through and through. I get tired around 4-7pm, but I often find myself getting a second wind around 9pm. When I didn't have kids, I'd happily get my own stuff done in the quiet hours of the night. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But now I have two kids. Two kids that always wake up early. One is a natural early-bird, who wakes up BEFORE the sun rises. She's always been that way. It's definitely how <i>she's</i> wired. The little one doesn't always wake up super early, but I think she's been trained to because of her sister. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On a good weekend, my husband and I usually take turns on who gets to sleep in. Just like I LOVE being a night owl, I LOVE sleeping in. I think my natural biorhythms is actually to wake up around 8-9am. I secretly look forward to my morning of sleeping in all week long. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When it's my turn to wake up, I try to make a point to not just turn on the TV or hand over the iPads to the girls. NOTE: I am definitely not perfect and it is often easier to flip a switch and turn the TV on to PBS or Disney Junior. Technology can be an easy babysitter. Sometimes, too easy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This past Saturday, I got some quiet time with my youngest, Audrey. I made a point to not turn on the TV and my oldest actually slept in for once. I think the week had caught up to her too. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Audrey and I sat and read many books. We cuddled up and spent about an hour together alone. We stacked the blocks and played with the puzzles. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">On other days, I will craft and she will color in her coloring books. It was perfect "Mommy and me" time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">There's something peaceful about being with just one of your kids alone. For whatever reason, they are just calmer and not focused on competing with the other for attention or something. It's definitely a different energy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, even though I am not a morning person, I have to admit that I do enjoy my mornings with my babies. </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02814966580832820817noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030722204764724581.post-64779799319435139492015-03-14T18:32:00.000-07:002015-03-17T20:54:44.510-07:00#SOL15 Day 14 :: March 14, 2014 :: The One about Color<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-size: 14.8500003814697px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMXM-QJqttQYnTGZ6372WuXhiEVlBbhNoqMtv0EhBTWQdSEv6vtAIJ5vgAr7sbk-obSTFfbzqjDhQSj3c_ssvDQx-59xNQDZ2dZAoHuCSrOR-s4MrOG-hCQ5eAAHn_8n0t920qCsNAYI/s1600/11454297503_e27946e4ff_h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMXM-QJqttQYnTGZ6372WuXhiEVlBbhNoqMtv0EhBTWQdSEv6vtAIJ5vgAr7sbk-obSTFfbzqjDhQSj3c_ssvDQx-59xNQDZ2dZAoHuCSrOR-s4MrOG-hCQ5eAAHn_8n0t920qCsNAYI/s1600/11454297503_e27946e4ff_h.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" /></span></a></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The March Slice of Life Story Challenge</span></b></i></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i><b>hosted </b></i><i><b>at the </b></i></span></i><i><i><b><a href="http://twowritingteachers.wordpress.com/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-decoration: none;">Two Writing Teachers</a></b></i></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Color</span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVoEV-hsgPzppHzWBgVU2AX8dnemYvpi7UuUfCSiyyjlnzcKYn8yiB42OXTcqwX9a6O0ox5mf5TOzz-rFwUg1N-1ydpbrjM49AVfU751kR9f5QqTbxavY2KZnGqkpb8vYKfLxRqJkFqLFU/s1600/Photo+Mar+14,+10+52+53+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVoEV-hsgPzppHzWBgVU2AX8dnemYvpi7UuUfCSiyyjlnzcKYn8yiB42OXTcqwX9a6O0ox5mf5TOzz-rFwUg1N-1ydpbrjM49AVfU751kR9f5QqTbxavY2KZnGqkpb8vYKfLxRqJkFqLFU/s1600/Photo+Mar+14,+10+52+53+AM.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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For as long as I can remember, I have always loved to color. </div>
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When I was a kid, if I wasn't reading, I was probably doing some kind of art project. You'd find me making a pop-up book that I learned how to do from a book that I had checked out from the library. Or you'd find me adding notes into my various notebooks about ideas I wanted to remember and drawings I wanted to keep. Often times, you'd find me filling up coloring books. </div>
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I participated in day 2 of an Art Training today put on by my school district and the California Arts Project. I'm kind of a "professional development junkie" because it fuels my love of learning. Plus, I don't think my district has ever offered training in art, so this was perfect for me. I am excited about finding ways to integrate art more into my instruction because I know that they don't get it enough and when they do, they just LOVE it. </div>
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Today, we got to paint and explore color. I don't remember the last time I painted anything. It was so <i>soothing</i> to my soul. I think I realize that whenever I do find time to use my creative juices, I feel more whole, more complete, more like the person I was meant to be.</div>
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Here's to remembering to carve out creative time for myself. Spring break, I have so many plans for you! </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02814966580832820817noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030722204764724581.post-51932134934713633322015-03-13T20:54:00.001-07:002015-03-17T20:55:00.151-07:00#SOL15 Day 13 :: March 13, 2015 :: The One with Scholastic Book Orders<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-size: 14.8500003814697px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMXM-QJqttQYnTGZ6372WuXhiEVlBbhNoqMtv0EhBTWQdSEv6vtAIJ5vgAr7sbk-obSTFfbzqjDhQSj3c_ssvDQx-59xNQDZ2dZAoHuCSrOR-s4MrOG-hCQ5eAAHn_8n0t920qCsNAYI/s1600/11454297503_e27946e4ff_h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMXM-QJqttQYnTGZ6372WuXhiEVlBbhNoqMtv0EhBTWQdSEv6vtAIJ5vgAr7sbk-obSTFfbzqjDhQSj3c_ssvDQx-59xNQDZ2dZAoHuCSrOR-s4MrOG-hCQ5eAAHn_8n0t920qCsNAYI/s1600/11454297503_e27946e4ff_h.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" /></span></a></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The March Slice of Life Story Challenge</span></b></i></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i><b>hosted </b></i><i><b>at the </b></i></span></i><i><i><b><a href="http://twowritingteachers.wordpress.com/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-decoration: none;">Two Writing Teachers</a></b></i></i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicox64wsTKfZaIkH63SJ9yFYS_jtLAxIDRYevzQb0Rgk8VApLLIZFCNI0afaWX4aw1w9DvY_p_s94QUhq9rApTqeo2CjJ-msavxUiixtdtIpi3Q-pXRm-2dYrfv6-HnYeNjvERj9jp2Aie/s1600/Photo+Mar+11,+2+31+30+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicox64wsTKfZaIkH63SJ9yFYS_jtLAxIDRYevzQb0Rgk8VApLLIZFCNI0afaWX4aw1w9DvY_p_s94QUhq9rApTqeo2CjJ-msavxUiixtdtIpi3Q-pXRm-2dYrfv6-HnYeNjvERj9jp2Aie/s1600/Photo+Mar+11,+2+31+30+PM.jpg" height="456" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think one of the reasons I became a teacher is because I wanted to pass out book orders to my kids. (And have access to all the book orders all.the.time as a teacher.) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I was a kid, my parents did not have a lot of money. We didn't have tons of toys, but my mom would buy me books. It didn't happen all the time, but whenever I would get a book order from school, I'd circle the ones that I wanted and then beg, and plead, with my mom to get them for me. Usually she'd get me one or two. Other times, I'd go searching in the couch for the loose change to scrounge together or try to do extra chores to earn allowance from my grandparents to buy a book. Having a new book, growing up, was a luxury for me and I cherished them. I used to reread books all the time in my little collection. (It's probably why I am a big re-reader now as an adult.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now as an adult, I have collected tons of books over the years. It's an illness, really. My poor husband is surrounded in almost every single room in our house by my books, and now our kids' books. Being able to own books still delights the little girl inside my heart. Plus, according a study that I read, the number of books in your house apparently positively correlates to your children's success in school. I like to remind my husband every time he finds new books in our house that each book is just making our kids smarter. *wink*</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of my biggest pleasures as a teacher is sharing my love of reading with my kids and Scholastic Reading Club is so perfect for that. I have given out about $500 worth of books each year in coupons to my students for the last three years and I have paid almost nothing out of pocket to do it. Bonus Points, ROCK! Plus, I like to think that I have a knack for "selling" books to my kids. Just call me, Mrs. Book Pusher. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I find pride that my Book Box is almost always the biggest one and I think I still get excited whenever they arrive. It's like I get to relive my childhood over and over again each month as a teacher. Thank you, Scholastic Reading Club. </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02814966580832820817noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030722204764724581.post-48086607605306748982015-03-12T20:46:00.003-07:002015-03-17T20:55:13.693-07:00#SOL15 Day 12 :: March 12, 2015 :: The One Where I Leave it at the Barre<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-size: 14.8500003814697px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px; text-align: center;">
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<i><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The March Slice of Life Story Challenge</span></b></i></span></i></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Leave it at the Barre</span></b></h2>
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<span style="line-height: 1.428571em;">To say that it's been a stressful week would probably be an understatement. I've worked myself to the bone for about a week and a half now... and I'm tired. </span></div>
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Working through my lunches. Staying up late to finishing grading. Carrying around never-ending to-do lists that seem to grow faster than they get checked out. From the moment I've opened my eyes, it's been nonstop until my head hits the pillow. I don't even remember the last thing I watched on TV because it's been THAT long since I've even had time to do anything not work-related, or kid-related for myself. </div>
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It's definitely the madness that engulfs March each year. March Madness, indeed.</div>
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On a more positive note, I am thankful that my husband watches the girls on his own about 2-3 times a week so that I can get away and go work out at Pure Barre.</div>
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I love Pure Barre (especially my home studio, Pure Barre Eastlake). I work my whole body from top to bottom in an hour long workout. My body is being sculpted in ways I never thought possible. For the first time in my life, I am able to do a full push-up. It's not pretty, but it's also not on my knees either. Holding a 90 second plank is becoming easier and easier each time. I find myself pushing myself physically and mentally in ways that I've never thought I was strong enough for. I love the people at my studio. They are always encouraging and it's nice to know that we are all one big family helping each other live happier and healthier lives. </div>
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So this week, the stress and burdens I've been carrying on my shoulders feel a little lighter after tonight's class. It's definitely heavier than usual, but here's to leaving it at the barre. </div>
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<b>#leaveitatthebarre</b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02814966580832820817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030722204764724581.post-50106287159813455342015-03-11T17:11:00.001-07:002015-03-17T20:55:29.166-07:00#SOL15 Day 11 :: March 11, 2015 :: The One with the Open Love Letter to my Work Wifey<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-size: 14.8500003814697px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMXM-QJqttQYnTGZ6372WuXhiEVlBbhNoqMtv0EhBTWQdSEv6vtAIJ5vgAr7sbk-obSTFfbzqjDhQSj3c_ssvDQx-59xNQDZ2dZAoHuCSrOR-s4MrOG-hCQ5eAAHn_8n0t920qCsNAYI/s1600/11454297503_e27946e4ff_h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMXM-QJqttQYnTGZ6372WuXhiEVlBbhNoqMtv0EhBTWQdSEv6vtAIJ5vgAr7sbk-obSTFfbzqjDhQSj3c_ssvDQx-59xNQDZ2dZAoHuCSrOR-s4MrOG-hCQ5eAAHn_8n0t920qCsNAYI/s1600/11454297503_e27946e4ff_h.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" /></span></a></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The March Slice of Life Story Challenge</span></b></i></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i><b>hosted </b></i><i><b>at the </b></i></span></i><i><i><b><a href="http://twowritingteachers.wordpress.com/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-decoration: none;">Two Writing Teachers</a></b></i></i></span></div>
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<i><i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Join us for a month of writing!</span></b></i></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">An Open Love Letter to My Work Wifey</span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5lARcEqSj-aS9fk3qrd9NinN2glMVV1H4i8u1A1prHGhXUkD9kwI91COQk9ZxT_jCjsl-f4ej-e3RX-8vrzuLgLDtDsaSxggKpa4PTHr5OwZ6ZoEx-DDZsB_6Pzftq0sNfeRjI3ESTZIu/s1600/Photo+Mar+08,+12+46+00+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5lARcEqSj-aS9fk3qrd9NinN2glMVV1H4i8u1A1prHGhXUkD9kwI91COQk9ZxT_jCjsl-f4ej-e3RX-8vrzuLgLDtDsaSxggKpa4PTHr5OwZ6ZoEx-DDZsB_6Pzftq0sNfeRjI3ESTZIu/s1600/Photo+Mar+08,+12+46+00+PM.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="line-height: 20.7900009155273px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span><span style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="line-height: 20.7900009155273px; text-align: left;">Dear Work Wifey, </span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 20.7900009155273px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am so thankful for you. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I just wanted you to know that I am so glad that you're around to talk me down from the "cliff" and keep me sane whenever I just want to throw a huge pity party. You listen to me gripe each day, about the same things most of the time, and still find ways to encourage me to be better and to be more positive. When stupid things make me cry and I feel like everything is falling apart, you're there to help pick up the pieces. When I doubt myself, you remind me of my self-worth. You're there to give me a hug when I need one. A true blue friend. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love that our students are so close and that both of our classes are just one big ol' family because you and I get along so well. It is so much fun to share kids with you because they get the more-relaxed (aka young and fun) teacher in you, and the more-serious (aka party-pooper) teacher in me. It's a nice balance. Plus, I think they know us so well at this point of the year that when we get all goofy and dorky, they can't help but roll their eyes and laugh with (or at?) us. Haha! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Speaking of, thank you for inspiring me and pushing me to be a better teacher. I love that our perfectionism and quest to learn more and more just rubs off on each other. That we are on our journey of becoming the best teacher we can be, together. Plus, it's nice to have a familiar face (and someone to pass notes with) at the professional development trainings. The best part is that it never feels like a competition between us. We are each other's biggest fans because it's true when they say that a rising tide lifts all boats. I appreciate that we don't feel threatened by each other's success and get into all that "girl drama" with each other. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love that we share a love of teaching, reading, crafts, Pure Barre, blogging... and many other things. Plus, who else would I want to text with all night? It's a good thing we have unlimited texts. *wink* </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It warms my heart when Lily is spelling names that start with J, she lists her friends and adds "Auntie Jenny" to her list. Whenever she hears your name, she asks if you're coming over to play. It's like you're a part of our family. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You're the JT to my Jimmy Fallon. You make me laugh with all the #thingsJennydoes. Thank you for your friendship. I hope you know how much you mean to me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My dear work wifey, I love you! Here's to finishing this quarter strong! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Xoxo,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jasmine</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">P.S. I'm glad we're doing this SOL challenge together this month. :) </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02814966580832820817noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030722204764724581.post-20695493736717095322015-03-10T20:44:00.001-07:002015-03-17T20:55:43.526-07:00#SOL15 Day 10 :: March 10, 2015 :: The One with #burntout<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-size: 14.8500003814697px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px; text-align: center;">
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<i><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The March Slice of Life Story Challenge</span></b></i></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i><b>hosted </b></i><i><b>at the </b></i></span></i><i><i><b><a href="http://twowritingteachers.wordpress.com/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-decoration: none;">Two Writing Teachers</a></b></i></i></span></div>
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<i><i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Join us for a month of writing!</span></b></i></i></div>
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<h2>
<i><i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">#burntout</span></b></i></i></h2>
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#isitSpringBreakyet</div>
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#buriedunderpiles</div>
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#nomoregrading</div>
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#A'sForEveryone</div>
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#daylightsavingssucks</div>
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#kidsarecheckingout</div>
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#iwanttocheckouttoo</div>
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#morewineplease</div>
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#byebyesecretstashofchocolates</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02814966580832820817noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030722204764724581.post-16238016513928172382015-03-09T20:53:00.001-07:002015-03-17T20:55:57.683-07:00#SOL15 Day 9 :: March 9, 2015 :: The One with Daylight Savings Time<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sleepy baby that does not want to wake up. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Dear Daylight Savings Time,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I really, really despise you. Whoever came up with DST must not have had kids, especially young ones. Little ones who don't really do well with drastic time changes in their bedtimes and mornings. Who don't want to wake up because it's so dark outside and you feel so awful waking them up, especially since simply getting them to sleep is a big ordeal each night. Falling back, a few years ago, made my 2-year old early-bird go from waking up at 4-5am, to 3-4am. For MONTHS. Springing forward means that my kids really, REALLY don't want to wake up in the mornings, which also leads to more meltdowns. Because as you know, getting out of the house each day on time, fully dressed, well-fed, with all of our stuff isn't hard enough as it is. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I would actually be very happy if you chose not to come around twice a year to pretty much mess us all up for a week. Everyone and everything is out of sync and it's kind of challenging to find a rhythm again. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've read several articles about how we really don't need DST anymore. I think I would have to agree.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Or maybe I need to move to Arizona (which apparently seems to be doing find without DST.) </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.428571em;">Sincerely,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not a farmer, not a morning person, and not even good at pretending to be a morning person.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02814966580832820817noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030722204764724581.post-82720370704026453182015-03-08T18:11:00.002-07:002015-03-17T20:56:09.594-07:00#SOL15 Day 8 :: March 8, 2015 :: The One with Mommy Guilt<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.8500003814697px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMXM-QJqttQYnTGZ6372WuXhiEVlBbhNoqMtv0EhBTWQdSEv6vtAIJ5vgAr7sbk-obSTFfbzqjDhQSj3c_ssvDQx-59xNQDZ2dZAoHuCSrOR-s4MrOG-hCQ5eAAHn_8n0t920qCsNAYI/s1600/11454297503_e27946e4ff_h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMXM-QJqttQYnTGZ6372WuXhiEVlBbhNoqMtv0EhBTWQdSEv6vtAIJ5vgAr7sbk-obSTFfbzqjDhQSj3c_ssvDQx-59xNQDZ2dZAoHuCSrOR-s4MrOG-hCQ5eAAHn_8n0t920qCsNAYI/s1600/11454297503_e27946e4ff_h.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" /></span></a></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The March Slice of Life Story Challenge</span></b></i></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i><b>hosted </b></i><i><b>at the </b></i></span></i><i><i><b><a href="http://twowritingteachers.wordpress.com/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-decoration: none;">Two Writing Teachers</a></b></i></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Mommy Guilt</span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic1j8KNDDGk7uKOqtMKKCXJQzQ3b7hdXrERTEvAj6FyH4ILfq7hPsDf7qLhALgphs8oacD610tG_SA6JpinfBnsggZhHXju8R31p5sBploBBdbM_9yO-0hIunvIy0jP6yqkig7Eej9lEk7/s1600/Photo+Jan+30,+5+16+44+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic1j8KNDDGk7uKOqtMKKCXJQzQ3b7hdXrERTEvAj6FyH4ILfq7hPsDf7qLhALgphs8oacD610tG_SA6JpinfBnsggZhHXju8R31p5sBploBBdbM_9yO-0hIunvIy0jP6yqkig7Eej9lEk7/s1600/Photo+Jan+30,+5+16+44+PM.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Being a mom is not for the faint of heart. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I often feel like a walking conundrum, stuck in an endless battle fighting to be both a good mom and a good teacher at the same time. Oh and a good wife too. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've come to the conclusion that it's pretty much impossible to be good at all those things simultaneously without losing my sanity. It's just too much. Way too much. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I drop off my kids at daycare and preschool, I often feel guilty that I feel relief. Relief that I can be more productive. Like I have a purpose. Something to contribute to society other than changing diapers and doing laundry. I think about how I'm supposed to <b>want</b> to stay home and then more guilt sets in because I'm happier outside of it. Guilt. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The moments are short when I'm at home and not busy doing other things. I try to be present with the girls, but sometimes, I'm just too tired and turn the TV on instead. Other times, my patience is so thin from dealing with my students all day long that my own children get the short end of the stick... the impatient, grouchy Mommy. More guilt.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I feel like I try not to do any "work" at home (which let's just be honest, is pretty much impossible as a teacher), then I feel like the piles of grading start taking over my desk. They start filling up the tote bag that I haul home each day, literally weighing me down each day they go ungraded. Once a pile is graded, a new pile seems to grow in its place almost immediately. It's pretty much impossible to always be "on top" of things. Pile on the guilt. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I try to get work done after the kids go down for bed, but sometimes the desire to finally just do something for myself that doesn't involve my students or my own kids is too strong to fight. Just one episode of TV, perhaps? Reading a chapter or two in my book would be nice. One more retry of that Candy Crush level. No really, just one more time.... after this one. Check Instagram again to see if what people posted in the last 30 minutes. Having time to do something for myself is so rare nowadays that whenever it does happen, I don't know what to do with myself. It takes me forever to even figure out what it is that I WANT to do in the first place. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All these things seem like a huge waste of time, especially the next morning when I haul that big ol' bag back to work, often untouched from the moment I dropped it on the floor when I got home the day before. Even more guilt. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think what I really need to offer myself some grace. Perfection is a race that I'm never going to win. I need to be content with being "just enough." </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02814966580832820817noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030722204764724581.post-21430172078764505322015-03-07T06:00:00.001-08:002015-03-17T20:56:22.643-07:00#SOL15 Day 7 :: March 7, 2015 :: The One with What's in Your Book Bag?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin7cAowWrvraN4Tn9KexG2qF1dkZWnfLGCDY6upKzweP9jFkEI_YeZ5PsVDbssFnM-1QpecSgvwxxSFQGPDq1fS1cie0lF0xGhX3-J6wnyJd7O79IWLXd5luUN5QZwmsYnwuBxpPH6dMRz/s1600/Photo+Dec+23,+3+45+41+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin7cAowWrvraN4Tn9KexG2qF1dkZWnfLGCDY6upKzweP9jFkEI_YeZ5PsVDbssFnM-1QpecSgvwxxSFQGPDq1fS1cie0lF0xGhX3-J6wnyJd7O79IWLXd5luUN5QZwmsYnwuBxpPH6dMRz/s1600/Photo+Dec+23,+3+45+41+PM.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We go to the local library as a family about 1.5 times a month. Even though we drive about half hour away to go to a downtown library because it's much bigger and has a much larger selection to choose from, we still make the effort to go because I want my kids to grow up remembering how fun it was to go to the library and checking out as many books as you could carry. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This week's book bag is full of early readers, which are absolutely PERFECT for my preschooler at this age. (Where were these books when we were young? I would have devoured them!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love that my girl loves superheroes and princesses all at the same time. She definitely is a princess through and through, but without much pushing from me or her dad at all, she ventures out to read more "boy-themed" books on her own. Lately, she's been really into reading about Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. (Probably because a boy in her class just celebrated his birthday with at TMNT-themed party.) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wish she would try out more books that aren't Disney or other characters she knows from TV shows, movies, or games. It's harder for me to get her to pick up books with unfamiliar characters on them. Probably doesn't help that our house is bursting with Disney books. :) </span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">What's in your book bag this week?</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">#whatsinmybookbag</span></i></b></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02814966580832820817noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030722204764724581.post-60628009163637968982015-03-06T06:00:00.000-08:002015-03-17T20:56:49.434-07:00#SOL15 Day 6 :: March 6, 2015 :: The One Where it 'Twas the Week Before Conferences<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; line-height: 20.7900009155273px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMXM-QJqttQYnTGZ6372WuXhiEVlBbhNoqMtv0EhBTWQdSEv6vtAIJ5vgAr7sbk-obSTFfbzqjDhQSj3c_ssvDQx-59xNQDZ2dZAoHuCSrOR-s4MrOG-hCQ5eAAHn_8n0t920qCsNAYI/s1600/11454297503_e27946e4ff_h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMXM-QJqttQYnTGZ6372WuXhiEVlBbhNoqMtv0EhBTWQdSEv6vtAIJ5vgAr7sbk-obSTFfbzqjDhQSj3c_ssvDQx-59xNQDZ2dZAoHuCSrOR-s4MrOG-hCQ5eAAHn_8n0t920qCsNAYI/s1600/11454297503_e27946e4ff_h.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" /></span></a></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The March Slice of Life Story Challenge</span></b></i></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i><b>hosted </b></i><i><b>at the </b></i></span></i><i><i><b><a href="http://twowritingteachers.wordpress.com/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-decoration: none;">Two Writing Teachers</a></b></i></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>'Twas the Week Before Conferences...</i></span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJojh2_xxgvzQk-JMoyIl8fxWEUYkKvwewz9IF1iFv_HT93dTgmyOyClY7Fy7e3-Hqc9M9tn5II0tc0QSD9IU40oK09Sq7gQ-3hA0BfAJsE8touhiXpEyHPgbPR7RinY4eM4uGpRtPrUAo/s1600/Photo+Jan+12,+9+44+15+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJojh2_xxgvzQk-JMoyIl8fxWEUYkKvwewz9IF1iFv_HT93dTgmyOyClY7Fy7e3-Hqc9M9tn5II0tc0QSD9IU40oK09Sq7gQ-3hA0BfAJsE8touhiXpEyHPgbPR7RinY4eM4uGpRtPrUAo/s1600/Photo+Jan+12,+9+44+15+AM.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">'Twas the week before conferences and all through the school,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not a teacher was sleeping, not keeping her cool.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The papers were being graded, each one with care</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In hopes that Spring Break soon would be there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The teachers were dragging themselves from their beds,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While dreams of sleeping in, danced in their heads.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And when they were working on report cards, each day,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They wished the children would just go outside and play.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Inside of their desks is a hidden secret stash,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of chocolates and treats they'd eat in a flash.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To help combat the stress, because as you know,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That the pesky to-do list will only continue to grow.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh, dear Spring Break, I hope you arrive here real quick.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But please stick around longer than the time of St. Nick. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We got this. Get it done, girl! And let's not lose sight,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once conferences are over, we can enjoy a good night! </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02814966580832820817noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030722204764724581.post-22837840857600043452015-03-05T20:17:00.001-08:002015-03-17T20:56:59.359-07:00#SOL15 Day 5 :: March 5, 2015 :: The One with Lions and Tigers<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; line-height: 20.7900009155273px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMXM-QJqttQYnTGZ6372WuXhiEVlBbhNoqMtv0EhBTWQdSEv6vtAIJ5vgAr7sbk-obSTFfbzqjDhQSj3c_ssvDQx-59xNQDZ2dZAoHuCSrOR-s4MrOG-hCQ5eAAHn_8n0t920qCsNAYI/s1600/11454297503_e27946e4ff_h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMXM-QJqttQYnTGZ6372WuXhiEVlBbhNoqMtv0EhBTWQdSEv6vtAIJ5vgAr7sbk-obSTFfbzqjDhQSj3c_ssvDQx-59xNQDZ2dZAoHuCSrOR-s4MrOG-hCQ5eAAHn_8n0t920qCsNAYI/s1600/11454297503_e27946e4ff_h.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" /></span></a></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The March Slice of Life Story Challenge</span></b></i></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i><b>hosted </b></i><i><b>at the </b></i></span></i><i><i><b><a href="http://twowritingteachers.wordpress.com/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-decoration: none;">Two Writing Teachers</a></b></i></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Lions and Tigers</span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8PLo_SuN78bVl0pK9i1XXOBoFU1HlwFOr1Sd9ntx1t-cwifMS3m7ReTQBaZ10eUbHRPP5TZ9iud8WnqowQg6iQZVPE3Un7A6ZcOAs9JxJ3gXJqHOL-if9nAJ8q-wbE8AzDj-pEiJVhkxv/s1600/Photo+Mar+05,+4+52+38+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8PLo_SuN78bVl0pK9i1XXOBoFU1HlwFOr1Sd9ntx1t-cwifMS3m7ReTQBaZ10eUbHRPP5TZ9iud8WnqowQg6iQZVPE3Un7A6ZcOAs9JxJ3gXJqHOL-if9nAJ8q-wbE8AzDj-pEiJVhkxv/s1600/Photo+Mar+05,+4+52+38+PM.jpg" height="640" width="456" /></span></a></div>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">Four-year olds are masterful negotiators.</b></div>
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<i style="line-height: 20.7900009155273px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't want to go to bed. </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I'm not hungry.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Why do I have to?</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>How come Audrey doesn't have to finish her dinner?</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I'm not tired. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>How come we have to go to the store? </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>No, I don't want to.</i></span></div>
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<i style="line-height: 20.7900009155273px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How many more bites do I have to eat?</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I'm don't want to brush my teeth. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I'm tired.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I don't want to wake up. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Why? </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is my Lily. We call her Tiger Lily sometimes because she was born in the year of the Tiger. Well, Little Miss Tiger Lily is a queen of negotiating, especially to get out of things she doesn't want to do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lately, everything seems to be a negotiation with this preschooler of ours. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dinnertime is a daily battle. If it were up to her, she would drink her calories in milk and not have to eat anything because it interferes with her playtime. However, when we finally clean the table and everything, she wants a snack. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bedtime is an game each night of how many excuses can she come up with to not to go sleep. She needs to go the bathroom. She wants a hug. The blanket isn't folded right. She needs water. The heater isn't on. She can't find Flounder (her stuffed animal). Daddy didn't give her a hug and kiss. She needs help to put lotion on her eczema. The door is closed too tightly. She's out of water again. She wants another hug and kiss. And the list goes on and on and on... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Basically, the only downside of her becoming more verbal is that she uses those words... to complain, to whine, to talk back and negotiate EVERYTHING. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes when we catch her in a lie, I think she really believes that she didn't do anything wrong too. Like she isn't CURRENTLY in the act of doing whatever she's being accused of, so therefore she must not have done it. Maybe it's just how the 4-year old mind works.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Lily, did you take the toy from your sister?</i></span></div>
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<i style="line-height: 20.7900009155273px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Lily, Daddy saw you take the toy from Audrey.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>No, I didn't. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Lily, there's no lying in this house.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Daddy, there's no <b>LIONS</b> in this house! Silly Daddy! </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">I mean, how can you not laugh at that. It's pretty much impossible to keep a straight face when she comes back with lines like that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Yes, Lily. There's no </i><b style="font-style: italic;">lions</b><i> in this house, but we sure love our little </i><b style="font-style: italic;">tiger.</b></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02814966580832820817noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030722204764724581.post-77766112249895795382015-03-04T09:00:00.000-08:002015-03-04T09:00:01.139-08:00Workspace Wednesday :: 17<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHbwck7LAWfFqpUpDBbe-3sy094AW326k5QWL9rD-aAMHHdAYrY79crLSMVPyr1RhUWRAo_LsOtq_LsUG7I4OPcXhsuMk0DVVDjE3KX85pNeI2Y8lIZaEHhf5amwHIlCSxPIitT6KQ_jeR/s1600/Photo+Feb+18,+5+38+39+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHbwck7LAWfFqpUpDBbe-3sy094AW326k5QWL9rD-aAMHHdAYrY79crLSMVPyr1RhUWRAo_LsOtq_LsUG7I4OPcXhsuMk0DVVDjE3KX85pNeI2Y8lIZaEHhf5amwHIlCSxPIitT6KQ_jeR/s1600/Photo+Feb+18,+5+38+39+PM.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Washi tape storage </span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have moved my stash of washi around in several different kinds of containers for over a year now. I tried a tub, then a drawer, but I think this wire basket I picked up from the Target One Spot is currently working the best for me right now.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I keep my skinny washi tape in an open dish (you can see it to the side of the basket) because I know it will get lost in a basket. Especially the really skinny ones from Amy Tangerine. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the things I like about an open basket is that I can pretty much see all of my collection at once. It makes it easier to choose one that I want to use because I can look at it from all different angles. When it was in a drawer, I could only see the top layer and everything underneath was hard to see without pulling them out. With an open basket, even when my collection grows (because let's just get real, right?) I can still see what's underneath or even in the bottom layer because I can pick it up. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am definitely one of those people that need to see things in order to remember that they exist. Hopefully this basket will make it easier for me to use what I already have in my washi stash. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPh1FQWkITTezHAskzpL3JkzllLIjRksgvaEBH0SVkjuW-Wa16blpmCW9T7kH8JcKbmVhFrx8jpFOPVs45zQh2kuROTL3dFrXz6cfRspBfiKYinAUb1Jg9m-XwmSZfehXD6dBnBKswN91B/s1600/Photo+Feb+18,+5+39+42+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPh1FQWkITTezHAskzpL3JkzllLIjRksgvaEBH0SVkjuW-Wa16blpmCW9T7kH8JcKbmVhFrx8jpFOPVs45zQh2kuROTL3dFrXz6cfRspBfiKYinAUb1Jg9m-XwmSZfehXD6dBnBKswN91B/s1600/Photo+Feb+18,+5+39+42+PM.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In other news, I think I need more washi tape. :) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>How do you store your washi tape? </b></span></h3>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you would like to participate in the Workspace Wednesday posts, </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">follow the <b>#workspacewednesday </b>hashtag on Instagram. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Marcy Penner is also leading a group of crafty WW posts at <b>#hfworkspacewednesday</b>.</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can follow me on Instagram at <a href="http://www.instagram.com/jasminemarie" target="_blank">@jasminemarie</a>. </span></b></i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02814966580832820817noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030722204764724581.post-38043738169615744262015-03-04T06:00:00.000-08:002015-03-17T20:57:10.880-07:00#SOL15 Day 4 :: March 4, 2015 :: The One with March Book Madness<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.8500003814697px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMXM-QJqttQYnTGZ6372WuXhiEVlBbhNoqMtv0EhBTWQdSEv6vtAIJ5vgAr7sbk-obSTFfbzqjDhQSj3c_ssvDQx-59xNQDZ2dZAoHuCSrOR-s4MrOG-hCQ5eAAHn_8n0t920qCsNAYI/s1600/11454297503_e27946e4ff_h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMXM-QJqttQYnTGZ6372WuXhiEVlBbhNoqMtv0EhBTWQdSEv6vtAIJ5vgAr7sbk-obSTFfbzqjDhQSj3c_ssvDQx-59xNQDZ2dZAoHuCSrOR-s4MrOG-hCQ5eAAHn_8n0t920qCsNAYI/s1600/11454297503_e27946e4ff_h.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" /></span></a></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The March Slice of Life Story Challenge</span></b></i></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i><b>hosted </b></i><i><b>at the </b></i></span></i><i><i><b><a href="http://twowritingteachers.wordpress.com/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-decoration: none;">Two Writing Teachers</a></b></i></i></span></div>
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<i><i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Join us for a month of writing!</span></b></i></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">March Book Madness</span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOhKn6zwPILkuBoGy7xJHKRYwj2kHP5PHMkR1kJnod-uGZnth818-RwYRY9edAHadotb0A8Hd6AeEPqLY_ckOfUgYcYfHuyM533LL-ds2F5s1BFpZysiAlWzJxzF18cX00e8ruQaAzHSoe/s1600/Photo+Mar+03,+11+19+31+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOhKn6zwPILkuBoGy7xJHKRYwj2kHP5PHMkR1kJnod-uGZnth818-RwYRY9edAHadotb0A8Hd6AeEPqLY_ckOfUgYcYfHuyM533LL-ds2F5s1BFpZysiAlWzJxzF18cX00e8ruQaAzHSoe/s1600/Photo+Mar+03,+11+19+31+AM.jpg" height="512" width="640" /></a></div>
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"I wonder if <i>Death by Toilet Paper</i> talks about if its 1-ply or 2-ply?"</div>
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"I can't choose between <i>Wonder</i> and <i>Ella Enchanted. </i>It's too hard! They're both SO good!"</div>
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"What's <i>Smile </i>about?"</div>
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"It's about a girl who gets braces and then goes through all these things, middle school... "</div>
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"Is it okay if I do some more research on Goodreads tonight before I finalize my bracket?"</div>
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"You've never read <i>Holes</i>?!"</div>
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"Ashlie is reading <i>Upside Down in the Middle of Nowhere</i> right now. You should ask her about what she thinks of the book so far. It sounds really good."</div>
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"Are you kidding me?! <i>Harry Potter </i>is so much better than <i>The Lightning Thief.</i> It's like a classic." </div>
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"I have <i>Sisters</i> up against <i>Smile</i> in the championship."</div>
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"Those are from the same author. You can't have the same author in the finals."</div>
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"It doesn't matter if the author is the same. It's about the <u>books</u>!"</div>
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The madness has started! </div>
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My students (2 classes of 31 students) started filling in their brackets today for March Book Madness. Kids were buzzing about books from the moment we were putting up the bracket on the wall before school and all throughout the day, even into the minutes after school. </div>
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When I read about <a href="http://marchbookmadness.weebly.com/" target="_blank">March Book Madness</a> on <a href="https://nerdybookclub.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">The Nerdy Book Club</a>, I <i>knew</i> that I had to do it with my students. A fun, exciting, semi-competitive event for my kids ALL ABOUT BOOKS?! I was sold. It looked like the perfect way to get kids exciting about reading and about books that they might not have read before. </div>
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All of a sudden kids are engaging in authentic book talks and trying to recruit others to root for the books that they want to win. They are asking about books that they have never heard of before and wondering if we can order them in the next Scholastic book order to get it in time before the next round of voting. All of a sudden, kids who are the only one in the class to have read a certain book have become superstars because other kids are asking them what they thought about it before filling in their bracket. </div>
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Even other teachers have gotten in on the action as well! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir777FmhQXwutMyjmuvPJJyX0t0A3tDUA0AspxOnTSyKRUDWwXhxdTLJpdHvIIm7I-36A1VMxGdxvq2c0w5CMwHfTyj4U_JUe-p0aG61t2AG4kou8LlegGas40TxhA3cb1PDnipyhD80AH/s1600/Photo+Mar+03,+8+09+18+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir777FmhQXwutMyjmuvPJJyX0t0A3tDUA0AspxOnTSyKRUDWwXhxdTLJpdHvIIm7I-36A1VMxGdxvq2c0w5CMwHfTyj4U_JUe-p0aG61t2AG4kou8LlegGas40TxhA3cb1PDnipyhD80AH/s1600/Photo+Mar+03,+8+09+18+AM.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All of the books I could find in our classroom library from the bracket BEFORE they flew off the board. I couldn't even keep them up long enough to book talk them while go over the bracket first thing this morning! </td></tr>
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My grade-level team departmentalized this year and for the first time in my whole career, I'm not teaching reading. I'm teaching math and science (which actually are my strengths as a teacher). It was super hard for me to give up reading. And by super hard, I mean I was gripping it so tightly in my hands that you practically had to pry it out. No exaggeration. </div>
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So much of the reason why I became a teacher is because I love sharing my love of reading with my kids. I was a bookworm and devoured books when I was a kid. I couldn't get my hands on enough books to read. My mom would take me to the library and I would check out the maximum 13 books (I still remember the number to the this day!). They would be finished within days and I'd be begging to go back. </div>
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I am not really an athletic, sporty person, so my buy-in with kids is definitely not sports. I actually really loathe doing anything physical in front of my kids because I am so awkwardly uncoordinated. I am not the best actor, singer, theatrical-kind of teacher. I am not the funniest, most popular, or outgoing teacher. However, each year, I connect with my students over books. It's what I've built my relationships with my students on every year. At the end of each year, the kids grow up and move on, but a few always come back to visit me, borrow books and talk about what they've been reading with me. Just call me "The Book Whisperer" of my school. </div>
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So as you can see, giving up reading this year was especially hard because I was worried that I would lose my "thing" with the kids. I worried that if I wasn't their reading teacher that I would have a harder time finding an "in" with my kids. Luckily for me, I've realized that I don't have to be their "reading teacher" to talk about reading with my kids in other ways. </div>
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March Book Madness really touched a special place in my heart today because my kids are talking about books. REALLY talking about them. They are EXCITED about reading. You can practically see it buzzing in the air! I can't wait to see the madness grow as they vote and see who wins each week.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5IACENMzhqssWw5d_HRgR1Mk3kFrThSdAEQXxZty3q3oteyLJnzsaChT9QD7l-WdM3jbxG7PUWGuUzUY60tx-_t3nLZdxdb-SQdKZfuUiI11mM2oTWdaV4gqsYmtjl1Kpp5csHbbZsuXP/s1600/Photo+Mar+03,+8+02+41+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5IACENMzhqssWw5d_HRgR1Mk3kFrThSdAEQXxZty3q3oteyLJnzsaChT9QD7l-WdM3jbxG7PUWGuUzUY60tx-_t3nLZdxdb-SQdKZfuUiI11mM2oTWdaV4gqsYmtjl1Kpp5csHbbZsuXP/s1600/Photo+Mar+03,+8+02+41+AM.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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I can hear kids talking outside my door as they pass the bracket. What they don't know is I can hear them. Gushing about books they love and asking about books they don't know. Sweet whispers through my walls that make me smile. </div>
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After school today, I had a group of my students from last year come after school to ask me what my bracket thing was all about and then they stayed for about 10 minutes to fill out their own brackets before they went home. My door was open and I was grading papers inside. </div>
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<span style="line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">"I heard </span><i style="line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">Bridge to Terabithia</i><span style="line-height: 20.7900009155273px;"> is good, but I don't think it's going to hold out against </span><i style="line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">Harry Potter.</i><span style="line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">"</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">"Yeah, <i>Harry Potter</i> is going to be hard to beat."</span></div>
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My reading teacher heart is full because I know this moment will be hard to beat. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02814966580832820817noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030722204764724581.post-44519293825800786842015-03-03T06:00:00.000-08:002015-03-17T20:57:27.035-07:00#SOL15 Day 3 :: March 3, 2015 :: The One with the Mayor's Wife<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.8500003814697px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px; text-align: center;">
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<i><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The March Slice of Life Story Challenge</span></b></i></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i><b>hosted </b></i><i><b>at the </b></i></span></i><i><i><b><a href="http://twowritingteachers.wordpress.com/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-decoration: none;">Two Writing Teachers</a></b></i></i></span></div>
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<i><i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Join us for a month of writing!</span></b></i></i></div>
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<i><i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></i></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was at a writing training recently where we talked about Slice of Life and we wrote one after viewing a photo. Here is a fictional piece that I wrote that day: </span></div>
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<i><i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></i></i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">The Mayor's Wife</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My red dress is freshly-pressed, hanging on my full-length mirror. The curls in my hair sit tightly at the back of my neck. Shiny and lacquered red, my fingernails hide the beads of sweat tucked into my fisted palms. The ridiculously high heels sit on the floor, not quite broken in yet, but just new enough to blister up my feet today. I have retouched my make-up about three times and without realizing it, I find myself pacing now. On the outside, when I see my reflection, I think to myself that I look the part. Almost sophisticated enough to be the First Lady of a grand cosmopolitan city, with no resemblance to the small-town girl I grew up as. But on the inside, my stomach is twisted up in knots.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He, on the other hand, looks as peaceful as can be. Like this is not the day that he is going to be presented to the whole city as mayor for the first time, after miraculously winning what was supposed to be a one-man show at the election. For the other guy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He sits in his armchair, hidden behind his newspaper, coffee mug in hand, with his feet swinging rhythmically in the air to the jazz music playing in the background. His morning routine. A daily ritual to center himself for the day. This morning is no different to him. It is just another day in what used to be our ordinary lives. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's not easy being the mayor's wife. </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02814966580832820817noreply@blogger.com4