Ghosties for the festival lunch

I made these cute little ghosties cupcakes for the kids in my class. We are having a spooky kooky lunch before our school festival, it should be really fun. We are having mummy dogs, spider stew (spaghetti & meatballs), bat bait (fruit) and frog punch with ghost peeps straws. The kids are so excited.

An $8.00 coffee

Have you ever wondered what an $8.00 coffee looked like? Well here it is. . .
I do not even think the entire drink was 6 oz. It was coffee and Baileys and whip cream. . .Yum

One Flaw In Women

Women have strengths that amaze men.

They bear hardships and they carry burdens,

but they hold happiness, love and joy.

They smile when they want to scream.

They sing when they want to cry.

They cry when they are happy

and laugh when they are nervous.

They fight for what they believe in.

They stand up to injustice.

They don't take "no" for an answer

when they believe there is a better solution.

They go without so their family can have.

They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.

They love unconditionally.

They cry when their children excel

and cheer when their friends get awards.

They are happy when they hear about

a birth or a wedding.

Their hearts break when a friend dies.

They grieve at the loss of a family member,

yet they are strong when they

think there is no strength left.

They know that a hug and a kiss

can heal a broken heart.

Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.

They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you

to show how much they care about you.

The heart of a woman is what

makes the world keep turning.

They bring joy, hope and love.

They have compassion and ideas.

They give moral support to their

family and friends.

Women have vital things to say

and everything to give.

HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN,

IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.

Just keep smiling!

If at times you feel like you want to cry

and life seems like such a trail

above those gray clouds

there are blue skies

so turn your tears a smile

among all the expensive things in the world

a smile is very cheap

and remember when you give one away

you get one back to keep.

and sometimes a few tears must fall

but behind them laughter is hidden.

I had a crazy day and feel so frustrated at my job it is super challenging this year, I have a few students that challenge me every day and some days I am up to it but a few days I feel like I can't take it anymore (these days are few and far between). I am really looking forward to my mini vacation to Maine, seeing my family and friends. AHHHHHH!

Holy Cows do the News

These ae the kids that showed up for the news broadcast this morning. Way to be there for the team guys and girl (in the cow costume).

Robotics on the News

Just Another Robotic Saturday!

Today in at the Air and Space Museum we had the 1st Annual First Robotic Day! It was an even where local school's and their robots could come to the museum an demonstrate to the public their robots, We had well over 220 people in attendance.
Wyatt go his wish today to wear the Holy Cow Mascot costume today, he had a great time jumping around, dancing and being chased by kids, he had his picture taken with many people at the event. One little 3 year old boy wouldn't hug him but also would not stop stalking him all around the museum. Finally when the kid was ready to leave he gave the cow a big hug and all the way out of the museum he kept saying "Bye Cow, Bye Cow, I love you cow!" It was so cute. When Wyatt finally took off the costume he loved as though he had just gotten out of a pool, his clothes were so wet (and not from water SWEAT!) He had a great time.

Getting ready to jump rope

On stage helping with the raffle

It is Rainning here

Well last night it started raining here and hasn't stopped. I am enjoying it for now but I know that come 11:00 when my class is suppose to go outside for recess I will not enjoy it so much. Poor Wyatt has to walk to school from the bus I hope he doesn't melt.
Last night we had our first high school Student led Parent teacher conference. Wyatt led it and had to share areas he needed to improve in as well as areas that were his strong points was very difficult for him, I was surprised. I was later told he was embarrassed because he knows he should be doing better at his work, all in all it went very well.

Purging Feels Great

Yesterday I came across a show called Hoarders. . . after watching a bit of it I became motivated to purge and get rid of stuff. . .lots of stuff. So today I went through the bedroom and got rid of junk, stuff I never use, old books that I have already read, magazines and stuff. It feels so good, I am looking forward to getting at other rooms in my small house.

No this is not my room, I just got a picture of the internet.

Another Robotic Saturday

This was a very busy, fun day for Wyatt and myself. First we got up early for an ortho appointment then we had to race south for a Robotics Team Demonstration. It was a lot of fun but a long day (9:30 - 5:30). It was great for the kids to get out into the community and practice talking to strangers about their robots. Most of them were learning about most of what they were talking about today. They need to practice before they have competitions since they are judged on their communication about their robot and their interaction with the community.

Wyatt setting up a game.Wyatt out talking to the public.

These were 2 middle school type (take out for demos) robots, they were playing a modified soccer game where they take the black cylinder and try to get it into their goal, the people enjoyed trying it out.

Wyatt was teaching a little kids how to use the controller.

Life is too Short

I got this as an e-mail yesterday and liked so much I had to share it with everyone.

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words ''In five years, will this matter?".

26. Always choose life.

27. Forgive everyone everything.

28. What other people think of you is none of your business.

29. Time heals almost everything. Give time, time.

30. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

31. Don't take yourself so seriously.. No one else does.

32. Believe in miracles.

33. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

34. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

35. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

36. Your children get only one childhood..

37. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

38. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

39. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'dgrab ours back.

40.. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

41. The best is yet to come.

42. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

43. Yield.

44. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

Favorite time of year

October is the beginning of my favorite time of year, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and then another New Year. I love the cool crisp air, the beautiful colors of fall, the kindness of people, the excitement on the faces of little kids and oh the yummy smells of seasons. Growing up I have so many memories of the holiday, especially going to cut down our own Christmas trees, sometimes it was just my dad and brother while Lolly and I waited in the truck. I am really excited about my trip back east in November they are even going to celebrate Thanksgiving while I am there. Then of course I will be back in California to cook Thanksgiving for my family and neighbors, usually 30+ people, I love cooking for all of them. As you enter into this holiday season take time to stop and enjoy the simple small things, help someone out just because you can and love your family and friends.

Trip to the grocery store

This morning I went to a grocery store I don't usually go to very often and there were about 25 duck that live in the parking lot. It was so cute I took my camera out of my purse and they all came running to me, I think they thought I was going to feed them. It was fun getting to get pictures.

Apple Picking

I woke up this morning and there was a bit of fall in the air and decided it was the perfect day to drive up to Julian and pick apples. At first I was met with a negative attitude, surprise ( I know payback and I do not even keep a blanket in my car). We drove up to the orchard and it was so warm, I was hoping for a cool, crisp day but hey we were there and apples we available to be picked. We go the rules No climbing trees, No throwing the apples and NO horse play. Yes, this would not be easy for my crew who were enjoying the trip so far.Since they were not allowed to climb the trees and naturally the best apples were way up high in the trees Wyatt used a stick to knock down the good apples. Yes he knocked some down and they fell out of the trees and hit the ground, bruising them. Of course Wyatt found three apples all together and was very proud of them! Oh the joys of boys!

Our neighbor Dakota came with us and since he was the smallest of our group he was lifted to try to reach the good ones way up high.

After we picked and filled our $10.00 bag of apples we headed for our favorite apple pie restaurant. Yup, this was the line we did not wait in to get a slice of pie. We walked to another pies/ bakery and were so happy, no line.

We bought 2 pies to bring home and we got these delicious berry tarts and they were to die for, we should have brought more of these home. Yummy!

Stormy Day

This afternoon I was sitting in my class waiting to get Wyatt from the train and I heard a strange and wonderful noise outside my window, I peeked outside and it was pouring down rain! I was like a kid at Christmas, I turned off the work I was doing and ran out side. I went and met Deidra for coffee and got some great pictures.

Here is a beautiful rainbow over The Lumberyard where we had coffee.

Some guy paddle surfing toward the golden light in front of our house.

Really cool looking storm clouds.

How did I survive?

Thinking back to my childhood I have no idea how I am still alive today to talk about it. I slept in a crib with slots I could have got stuck in and chewed on the rails with the led paint. We would leave our house in the morning and come home at dark, we drank water out of the hose and all of us would chip in and buy one bottle of soda and each take a turn drinking it. No bottled water for us. We would walk through the woods to get to school and were never kidnapped. We would thaw hamburger on the counter all day then cook them and have them red in the middle, no e-coli here. Chicken, eggs, fruit and were all cut on the same cutting board we actually ate e-coli and survived I do not know how. We would go out trick or treating by ourselves and eat candy as we walked, nope no x-raying the candy. I learned how to swim in a dark cold lake, no clean sparkling swimming pool for this girl. If I got in trouble or talked back I got my butt smacked by that parent as well as my own. No child rights for me, I knew my place. If I was in a lot playing and got hurt to bad my dad never contacted an attorney and sued. When I fell and got hurt at a friends house my dad didn't know then that he could have owned that house, I just got in trouble. We never wore seat belts or sat in car seats, we would tumble around the car and were carried on the laps of our parents, even layed on the seat to sleep as an infant. How did we ever survive. Oh my gosh we never used the phone let alone have our own to take with us. A pager was something we had at a school to give morning announcements. PE was called gym and you were not allowed to fail gym, I guess PE is much harder. Being proud was something for a big accomplishment. I cant remember being board without all those X Box, Nintento, or 500 television stations. I never new anyone from a "dysfunctional" family or needing therapy. Wow look at all the money we saved. I have no idea how I survived to remember all this, life was so much simpler then.