Tuesday, September 9, 2014
Zombies
I love when high school kids say hi. It doesn't happen often but when it does, it's like a bright light through a dark tunnell of zombies. I don't judge them, I used to be a zombie. I just appreciate those of them who are not.
Monday, September 8, 2014
My Magical Life
In case you didn't know, I'm a magical person. So is Charles. I magically made it through high school in one piece, and I magically finished college while raising a child. Charles and I magically pay our bills with magical money, and we magically raise good, no great kids. My job as a sub, when I have one, is wonderful every single day. And when I don't have a job for the day I'm still magically happy about it. Charles is a magical man who magically makes it to work everyday and magically fixes train tracks. He's done this for almost 10 magical years. I magically paid for and finished a magical teaching license program and now I'm magically certified to teach English. Charles and I have been married for almost 8 magical, perfect years. We've been parents for 7 perfect, and magical years.
This is how I feel that some people look at me. They think I have super powers and not one bit of it is flattering. I know where it comes from. Many people in my family or other people I know didn't accomplish what I have a accomplished. That statement is not a put down, not a slap in the face, but a fact. We all accomplish different things at different points in our life. It was not easier for me to accomplish what I did; I did not have help, or a magic wand. And there's not one person in my family that couldn't do what I've done. I don't know why I'm different but I know that when you come from a place of low expectations and you exceed those expectations substantially, you are not always met with praise. You are met with jealousy, and anger.
Some people think that somehow Charles was a big help. They are right if they mean emotionally. Charles finally provided me with a rock. He gave me a stable, supportive, and encouraging environment. When I met Charles he had as much money as I did. $0. He filed bankruptcy around that time and we were lucky if we had $2 to buy cheeseburgers at McDonalds. He went through trade school and I finished high school. Finally, in 2005 we got a break when I started college and he got a job at the railroad. So we had stable income but we weren't rich. We couldn't pay for college in any way other than students loans (that we still magically pay for today). And just like your normal, average, American family we have credit card debt, rent, utilities, insurance, childcare expenses, car payments, cell phone, cable bills, etc.
This is only a summary. Telling you about my life in a few paragraphs couldn't possibly explain all the ups and downs. I don't feel like I have to explain this. I know few people read my blog and this is just my way of venting. but we're not magical. When intelligent people take a good, hard look at themselves they can figure out why their lives are off track. And when it comes down to it, it doesn't make sense to blame people for their blessings rather than looking at the holes in your own. I know I am loved and hurtful words are never a reflection on the person they are being said to. We all have different experiences and it's studpid to play the game of My Life Sucks More.
We are not magical. We are hard working. We are not perfect. We are flawed.
This is how I feel that some people look at me. They think I have super powers and not one bit of it is flattering. I know where it comes from. Many people in my family or other people I know didn't accomplish what I have a accomplished. That statement is not a put down, not a slap in the face, but a fact. We all accomplish different things at different points in our life. It was not easier for me to accomplish what I did; I did not have help, or a magic wand. And there's not one person in my family that couldn't do what I've done. I don't know why I'm different but I know that when you come from a place of low expectations and you exceed those expectations substantially, you are not always met with praise. You are met with jealousy, and anger.
Some people think that somehow Charles was a big help. They are right if they mean emotionally. Charles finally provided me with a rock. He gave me a stable, supportive, and encouraging environment. When I met Charles he had as much money as I did. $0. He filed bankruptcy around that time and we were lucky if we had $2 to buy cheeseburgers at McDonalds. He went through trade school and I finished high school. Finally, in 2005 we got a break when I started college and he got a job at the railroad. So we had stable income but we weren't rich. We couldn't pay for college in any way other than students loans (that we still magically pay for today). And just like your normal, average, American family we have credit card debt, rent, utilities, insurance, childcare expenses, car payments, cell phone, cable bills, etc.
This is only a summary. Telling you about my life in a few paragraphs couldn't possibly explain all the ups and downs. I don't feel like I have to explain this. I know few people read my blog and this is just my way of venting. but we're not magical. When intelligent people take a good, hard look at themselves they can figure out why their lives are off track. And when it comes down to it, it doesn't make sense to blame people for their blessings rather than looking at the holes in your own. I know I am loved and hurtful words are never a reflection on the person they are being said to. We all have different experiences and it's studpid to play the game of My Life Sucks More.
We are not magical. We are hard working. We are not perfect. We are flawed.
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
Saturday Six
Last weekend Charles had to work so I was with the kids all day with nothing planned to do. I didn't want to spend any money but I wanted to tire them out. So I decided to let them choose. Here's what I told them:
"Today you get to pick 6 things for us to do, but there are three rules. It has to be free, it has to be something we can all do together, and you have to clean your rooms before we start."
They were pretty excited to pick 6 things so the clean room thing didn't bother them. Here's what they came up with:
1.) Go to the park.
2.) Go to the library.
3.) Ride bikes.
4.) Play Candy Land.
5.) Make a cake (and eat it).
6.) Watch a movie.
So that's exactly what we did.
"Today you get to pick 6 things for us to do, but there are three rules. It has to be free, it has to be something we can all do together, and you have to clean your rooms before we start."
They were pretty excited to pick 6 things so the clean room thing didn't bother them. Here's what they came up with:
1.) Go to the park.
2.) Go to the library.
3.) Ride bikes.
4.) Play Candy Land.
5.) Make a cake (and eat it).
6.) Watch a movie.
So that's exactly what we did.
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
Monday, August 25, 2014
Frugal Travel. We're Going to Branson!
This weekend will be the start of our family's very first family vacation. I feel a little embarrassed to say that because Briana is 7 and we still haven't really been anywhere. Honestly, we can't truly afford to go on this vacation either but it's been planned already, and I can't let the kids down. So for five days we're going to pretend we don't have any money problems and just have fun.
If you've been around me the last few months you know I've turned into a crazy coupon lady. I've started a stockpile and I am trying to be more frugal. I've tried to think of ways to save money on this vacation. I tried to find coupons for Branson attractions and I scored a few second-hand coupon books but after a lot of searching I realized that was not the area in which we would save money. Food is what we can control. I decided it would be great if we could replace one meal a day instead of having to buy all three, and if we could bring our own snacks. Breakfast will be an easy meal because we can eat it before we head out for the day. It was difficult to think of how to accomplish this because we won't have a way to cook food, or a fridge. We will need to bring a cooler with ice and settle for room-temp food or small items we can fit in the cooler. So I went to Sam's Club and bought powedered donuts, honey buns, fruit cups, and colby jack cheese sticks. I know...I know. Powdered donuts and honey buns...not the healthiest breakfast. But that's why I complimented it with the fruit cups and cheese. It's the best I could come up with in the circumstances.
For snacks we've got some fruit snacks, gold fish, cereal, and nuts. Also, I bought these craft boxes at Walmart and filled them with small amounts of different snacks for the kids on the way there and back. They are crazy snackers! We will probably try to buy cheaper lunches and then have a nicer dinner each night. And of course, I'll be bringing all my restaurant coupons to help out. Oh and don't forget the water. We all know buying a bottle of water anywhere besides the store costs $2 each or up. I just bought 40 bottles at Sams for $3.98.
So that's my frugal traveling advice: bring a meal, bring your snacks, bring your coupons, and bring your water!
Watch out for my Back-from-Branson post :)
This is my water/snacks/breakfast pile.
This is a picture of the stockpile I mentioned. It was bigger but I'm putting my couponing to good use and making beauty baskets for Christmas. Shhhh!
If you've been around me the last few months you know I've turned into a crazy coupon lady. I've started a stockpile and I am trying to be more frugal. I've tried to think of ways to save money on this vacation. I tried to find coupons for Branson attractions and I scored a few second-hand coupon books but after a lot of searching I realized that was not the area in which we would save money. Food is what we can control. I decided it would be great if we could replace one meal a day instead of having to buy all three, and if we could bring our own snacks. Breakfast will be an easy meal because we can eat it before we head out for the day. It was difficult to think of how to accomplish this because we won't have a way to cook food, or a fridge. We will need to bring a cooler with ice and settle for room-temp food or small items we can fit in the cooler. So I went to Sam's Club and bought powedered donuts, honey buns, fruit cups, and colby jack cheese sticks. I know...I know. Powdered donuts and honey buns...not the healthiest breakfast. But that's why I complimented it with the fruit cups and cheese. It's the best I could come up with in the circumstances.
For snacks we've got some fruit snacks, gold fish, cereal, and nuts. Also, I bought these craft boxes at Walmart and filled them with small amounts of different snacks for the kids on the way there and back. They are crazy snackers! We will probably try to buy cheaper lunches and then have a nicer dinner each night. And of course, I'll be bringing all my restaurant coupons to help out. Oh and don't forget the water. We all know buying a bottle of water anywhere besides the store costs $2 each or up. I just bought 40 bottles at Sams for $3.98.
So that's my frugal traveling advice: bring a meal, bring your snacks, bring your coupons, and bring your water!
Watch out for my Back-from-Branson post :)
This is my water/snacks/breakfast pile.
And this is the cute craft box made into snack holder I was telling you about. I got this idea on pinterest.
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
ABCTE -American Board Certification for Teaching Excellence
Do you want to teach? Do you have a Bachelors degree? Do you want to do it in your own time at your own pace and not pay $10,000 to do it? Do I sound like a sales person? lol
Well if you said yes to all of these then do what I did. I'm living proof that a normal, non-genius person with a family and a job can finish an educational program and be on their way to teaching. ABCTE is not perfect but it's fastest, least expensive way to get this accomplished. Passing their tests means you are highly qualified in your content area and meet the standards of No Child Left Behind.
So anyway- check out their website and see what programs are available for you. I've been through it so I'm happy to give support and answer all questions and tell you my experience. It's not the easiest thing to do- but it's not crazy hard either. I think there's a discounted price right now!
In all seriousness, the one thing I have really learned through all of this is- don't wait. Stop putting off something that you secretly know deep down you want to do. Make it a priority. There will never be a better time than now and when you finally come to your senses your only regret will be that you didn't do it sooner. It's like having a baby. No one is ever really ready. You just do it and you're so happy you did. True stuff.
I'm so happy it's done. I can't wait to have a classroom of my own!
Ps. If you decide to do this, please let them know I recommended you.
http://abcte.org/
Well if you said yes to all of these then do what I did. I'm living proof that a normal, non-genius person with a family and a job can finish an educational program and be on their way to teaching. ABCTE is not perfect but it's fastest, least expensive way to get this accomplished. Passing their tests means you are highly qualified in your content area and meet the standards of No Child Left Behind.
So anyway- check out their website and see what programs are available for you. I've been through it so I'm happy to give support and answer all questions and tell you my experience. It's not the easiest thing to do- but it's not crazy hard either. I think there's a discounted price right now!
In all seriousness, the one thing I have really learned through all of this is- don't wait. Stop putting off something that you secretly know deep down you want to do. Make it a priority. There will never be a better time than now and when you finally come to your senses your only regret will be that you didn't do it sooner. It's like having a baby. No one is ever really ready. You just do it and you're so happy you did. True stuff.
I'm so happy it's done. I can't wait to have a classroom of my own!
Ps. If you decide to do this, please let them know I recommended you.
http://abcte.org/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)