tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44837793630186485202024-03-13T08:03:06.121-05:00THE HAYS CREWHays Family 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/00489079353606415484noreply@blogger.comBlogger470125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483779363018648520.post-44655330000517269472014-10-02T06:46:00.001-05:002014-10-02T06:46:17.732-05:00TodaySome of the best things in life come when you are least expecting them. Does this mean you shouldn't have any expectations? No. Not even close. <br />
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It does mean...<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Relax. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Enjoy today for what it is....today.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Be present.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Do what you like to do.</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u><b>And do it with passion.</b></u></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Smile.</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: x-large;"><b>Be who you are.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Show your heart to the world.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Start something new. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Or finish something.</span><br />
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<b><u>Write a thank you note.</u></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Find the joy in the small stuff. (Like a clean bathroom...)</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Say 'I'm sorry'. </span><br />
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And mean it.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just sayin'.</span><br />
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<br />Hays Family 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/00489079353606415484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483779363018648520.post-1233719878435230982014-09-21T20:53:00.002-05:002014-09-21T20:53:40.705-05:00Pictures of Me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is me. And all my school kids. </div>
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I do not have blue hair or a green dress. </div>
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BUT highlighters are all that and a bag of chips in first grade. I get asked every day at almost everything we do if we can use our highlighters--and I let them. </div>
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Surely they will run out of highlighter soon. Just sayin'.</div>
<br />Hays Family 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/00489079353606415484noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483779363018648520.post-73273759086312293172014-09-18T05:55:00.000-05:002014-09-18T05:55:29.176-05:00ConversationsEach day I take a group of Firsties to my room for a small group reading time. On the third day this conversation takes place:<div>
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First grade boy #1: Guys, she's not a real teacher.</div>
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At first, I don't register what he is saying. Then--</div>
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First grade boy #2: Yeah. She's just a helper.</div>
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Me: No. This is my classroom. I teach first grade. </div>
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They begin to argue with me. More kids join the conversation.</div>
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First grade girl #1: No. She's just a helper. She's not a real teacher.</div>
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Me: I AM A REAL TEACHER. This is my room we are in right now. Remember on the first day of school when the teachers stood in front of the whole first grade? I was up there with the other teachers. </div>
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First grade girl #2: No. I don't remember you. Sorry. </div>
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Me: I am at recess with you everyday. Don't you see me out there?</div>
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First grade girl #1: Lady, I am too busy playing to be looking for you.</div>
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Tomorrow will be better. Just sayin'.</div>
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Hays Family 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/00489079353606415484noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483779363018648520.post-42160801721339661142014-05-25T09:35:00.002-05:002014-05-25T09:35:41.646-05:00Summer Read #1<u>Orange is the New Black</u> by Piper Kerman is my first summer read. I probably wouldn't have picked this one up on my own because it's non-fiction and takes place in prison, but it's my old lady book club selection for June. I'll let you know how it turns out. <br />
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Just sayin'.<br />
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Hays Family 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/00489079353606415484noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483779363018648520.post-9540810959566850832014-05-24T08:49:00.001-05:002014-05-24T08:49:22.603-05:00And It Begins AgainSchool has ended. Finally.<br />
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It occurred to me this week that we haven't vacuumed since, well, awhile. Like maybe spring break. So there's that.<br />
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All of my school stuff is packed and moved from one place to another. Again. <br />
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All of my children are home for the weekend--2 of them for the summer. <br />
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I am taking a few days off to rest, relax and read. Then the summer cleaning will commence.<br />
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I have a few projects to complete for my new classroom, some sewing to do and TV to watch. Oh and books. I have books on books to read.<br />
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Just sayin'.Hays Family 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/00489079353606415484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483779363018648520.post-35738166990410489572014-04-06T19:07:00.000-05:002014-04-06T19:15:39.912-05:00Sunday Favs<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Book:</span></i> <u>The Book Thief</u>...make yourself read this book. I'm telling you it's worth it. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Movie:</i> </span> Divergent<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">TV Show:</span> </i> The Good Wife<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Food:</span></i> It's strawberry season!! <br />
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<i style="font-size: x-large;">Klutz Move:</i> On Fridays the PE teacher and I combine our PE/Health kids to play a game. Friday we played a game that the PE teacher made up called 4 Corner Soccer. Basically 4 teams try to make a goal in one of the other 3 teams corners. Once a goal is made, the team that got scored on sits down. To get the game started, 4 players come to center court, teacher puts partially deflated ball down and gets the heck out of the way. But not me. I lolly gag a second too long and took a partially deflated ball in the shin. Full force kick by a Freshman boy. Holy bajolies the bruise I have is amazing! To his credit, the young man apologized after his team won the game.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Song:</span> </i>Say Something by A Great Big World....my girls think this is the saddest song ever. I do not. I have no idea why I am so drawn to it--probably because I cannot decide what it means. It just has nice music in my opinion.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Best Moment:</span> </i>When I told a sophomore that I would not be at the HS next year, her eyes filled with tears and I assured her that she would be able to get me whenever she needed me. She smiled and said, "When I am senior, I can be your teacher aide!" You betcha. I will look forward to it, my dear. <br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Quote for the Week:</span> </i><a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/s/socrates107382.html" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 153) !important; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 26px; text-decoration: none;" title="view quote">Our prayers should be for blessings in general, for God knows best what is good for us.</a> -<a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/s/socrates.html#ImF2XfIYij8GoLdJ.99" target="_blank"><span style="color: #003399; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><b>Socrates</b></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px;"> </span></a><br />
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Just sayin'.<br />
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<br />Hays Family 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/00489079353606415484noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483779363018648520.post-31619747611443647032014-04-05T09:08:00.000-05:002014-04-05T09:08:26.592-05:00Old People ProbsA couple of weeks ago I was having just general conversation with my Freshman.....which can go anywhere. Believe me when I tell you that sometimes all I do is laugh....and shake my head.<br />
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Freshman have a million questions inside of them begging to get out and no filter. <br />
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On this particular day, my neck was out of place and I was struggling to move. A Freshman boy asked me if I was OK......<br />
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Me: My neck is out and it hurts a lot.<br />
FB: Oh. What'd you do? <br />
Me: No idea. I think it's because I am old.<br />
FB: You are not old, Hays.<br />
Me: How old do you think I am? (Keep in mind--I tell them how old I am on the first day of school and my birthday is in February. )<br />
FB: Well, (and he is dead serious) I think you are about 35. <br />
Me: Bless you. But I have a daughter who will be 24 and I have been a teacher for 20 years. So am I 35?<br />
FB: Possibly not. How old are you?<br />
Me: I am 47. <br />
FB: 47? Really? You don't look 47. And you certainly DO NOT act like you are 47. <br />
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Although my ego was stroked accordingly, I ended the conversation there. I really did not want to know how old I act. <br />
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Later that day I went to our elementary school to work at the after school program. A very, very sweet kindergarten boy took hold of my hand and began walking with me. Conversation about his day and what he would do on the weekend ensued. He asked me to push him on the swings. You may remember that I am a really good pusher from this <a href="http://www.themhayskids.blogspot.com/2012/04/just-another-day-in-my-life.html" target="_blank">post</a>.<br />
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I told him yes, of course. I also told him that my neck kind of hurt so I wasn't sure how many pushes I could give him. He then looked at me with melt-your-heart big, brown eyes and said....<br />
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"Mrs. Hays, are you like 70?"<br />
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Ego deflated.<br />
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Just sayin'.<br />
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<br />Hays Family 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/00489079353606415484noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483779363018648520.post-80600845796235201812014-04-04T06:39:00.002-05:002014-04-04T06:39:41.967-05:00News...I have a new teaching assignment next year. <br />
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Hang on to your hats people......<br />
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And it is at my request for the first time in my teaching career. <br />
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Having given up social media for Lent, I discovered that so much of my time had been sucked up under the ruse of 'checking' social media. When I was ready to share this info, I was disappointed that I couldn't use social media to do so. Then I realized I have a place that I have been neglecting. A wonderful place. <br />
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A writing place. So with this announcement, I hope that I will be returning to writing on regular basis.<br />
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And with that, I am thrilled to announce that I will be teaching first grade next year. <br />
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Just sayin'.<br />
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<br />Hays Family 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/00489079353606415484noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483779363018648520.post-57948490791529350202014-01-04T09:15:00.000-06:002014-01-04T09:15:06.422-06:00ConfessionI hate winter. <br />
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With more snow on the way today and subzero temps to follow, winter is rearing its very ugly head. <br />
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I hate coats. I hate cold. I hate snow. I hate the world getting dark by 5:30. I hate mittens, scarves, hats and boots. <br />
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I don't even really like sweaters except for the fact that my muffin top is hidden underneath. I don't like wearing shoes and socks.<br />
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I hate winter.<br />
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So the countdown is on......Sunday, March 9 we 'spring' forward. Thursday, March 20 is the first day of spring and Easter is April 20. <br />
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I think I can make it. I think I can. I think I can......just sayin'.<br />
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<br />Hays Family 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/00489079353606415484noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483779363018648520.post-942696348253799852014-01-03T07:22:00.000-06:002014-01-03T07:22:16.749-06:00Friday FavoritesI have just a few favorites going in my life right now. Nothing major. Nothing life altering. Just few things I find joy in each day.<br />
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**Poached eggs and grapefruit. My family thinks poached eggs are the grossest food ever created. Poached eggs are a throwback to my childhood. My mom would make them on cold winter mornings paired with toast and a half of a grapefruit. It's still one of my favorite winter breakfasts.<br />
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**Dixon Ticonderoga number 2 yellow pencils. If you haven't used one of these bad boys--you are missing out on a great writing utensil. My Freshman know these are my pencils and they covet them as well. Miss Hays just bought a box of 96 for her classroom. Of course, if you aren't a pencil and pen addict, it might not matter to you. Just sayin'.<br />
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**Bic Cristal Bold pens. Man alive. These babies write SMOOOOOOOOOTH. They write bold and thick. For someone like me who presses too hard when I write, these pens handle the pressure nicely. I picked up a package in CC and Miss Hays picked me up 2 more packages in The Hat so I am pretty much hooked up for a while.<br />
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**George Winston Radio on Pandora. Oh My. I could listen to piano music all day. <br />
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Nerd status revealed. Just sayin'.Hays Family 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/00489079353606415484noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483779363018648520.post-22940401085865338112014-01-02T07:10:00.001-06:002014-01-02T07:10:51.837-06:00DenialToday I am in denial. Who am I kidding? It's not just today. I spend most of my life in denial. Don't judge me.<br />
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Today I must return to school. Christmas break has ended. Go in Peace Christmas break. It was a wonderful time filled with reading, Netflix, family and relaxation. And food. Two of my teacher friends texted me last night with concerns about having to wear real pants on Monday. I share that concern.<br />
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It did snow yesterday so there were high hopes of a teacher workday snow day--but the district sent a message out last night that we would be having teacher workday and to get there when we could safely. I live 4 blocks from school. Pretty sure it will take me until noon to dig out.......just sayin'.<br />
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All kidding aside, I am very thankful that our district gives us workdays. Tomorrow is an inservice day and kids come on Monday. <br />
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Monday will be here lickety-split. Just sayin'.<br />
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<br />Hays Family 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/00489079353606415484noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483779363018648520.post-76549172591096341322014-01-01T10:27:00.000-06:002014-01-01T10:27:01.546-06:00RandomnessHappy New Year! <br />
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Taking a cue from <a href="http://erickfam.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Mrs. E over at Easy Street</a>....... I have some New Year Randomness.....<br />
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*Coach and I spent New Year's Eve home alone. Our first since 1989. We read our books, had a little dinner fixed by Coach and watched some really bad TV. Oh and in bed by 11:30.<br />
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*Our microwave shot craps the week of Thanksgiving and I haven't replaced it. I think we miss it, but can't be sure. I also refuse to pay $75 or more for a new one. I want one for $30. <br />
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*We (really it was me) cancelled our Monday thru Friday paper delivery. We moved into town in 1997 and have taken that paper every day since then. The paper wasn't getting to our home in time for us to read it before we left each day--not because of our delivery person--she rocks--but because the paper itself wasn't getting to CC due to issues at the paper. We were going days without reading it. Therefore, we decided to try Saturday-Sunday delivery only. It also saves $10 a month only getting the paper on the weekends. We'll see. <br />
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*I didn't renew any of our magazines for 2014. When no one from our high school tried to sell me magazines, I took that as a sign that I didn't actually need to renew my subscriptions. My mom is extremely generous and pays for me to get several magazines as part of my Christmas gift. Those will be the only magazines we will continue to get each month in the mail. We'll see.<br />
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*My affair with Netflix is becoming well-known. A friend of mine called to tell me that she had begun watching Hart of Dixie and she thought I might like the PBS produced Call the Midwife. I had social-media-ed (not even a word, yet) about how I was watching Hart of Dixie in an effort to task avoid. Like I watched 8 episodes before I could drag myself off the sofa...just sayin'. Other than sports on TV, we don't watch much regular TV. We wish we could just subscribe (and pay for) to sports channels. This year when the sports desert hits we plan to take our cable down to basic basic cable. Why pay for something we don't use?<br />
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*I think I am seeing a 2014 theme here.....money.<br />
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Just sayin'. <br />
<br />Hays Family 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/00489079353606415484noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483779363018648520.post-24992329028396766482013-11-05T12:18:00.002-06:002013-11-05T12:18:29.630-06:00Lollipop MomentsTake 6 minutes and watch this video.....I promise it's not going to sell you any weight loss products, windows or siding. <br />
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Just watch.<br />
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Something to think about. Who's that person for you? And have you taken the time to let them know what they did for you?<br />
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One of mine is a good friend who made a comment to me when our kids were very young. She said, "If you let them do it at home, they'll think they can do it in public." It was a defining moment in my parenting. She wasn't criticizing, she wasn't judging, she was simply commenting. I never forgot those words. Those words made me a better parent. I mean, within reason--I still sucked at it most of the time and made terrible decisions--but hey, we all are still alive and we know how to behave in public.<br />
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I haven't thanked her, yet.<br />
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Another of my lollipop moments came from a close friend of mine. She told me that she had never believed in herself until she taught with me. And I believed in her. I showed her how smart she was. I stood beside her and I believed in her. Seriously. All I did was show up every day and try not to cry because the kids we were teaching were so incredibly awesome--and poor--that sometimes it was too scary to think about sending them home. <br />
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Why is it my lollipop moment? Because her telling me that it was me that made a difference to her made me realize that things don't have to be 'special moments' to make a difference. Every moment can make a difference. We just never know when we are giving someone something that they take away and use for a lifetime.<br />
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Go make a difference. Just sayin'.<br />
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<br />Hays Family 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/00489079353606415484noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483779363018648520.post-88514440403269841152013-11-04T06:40:00.003-06:002013-11-05T06:30:21.206-06:00Friends Ever read a book that the characters become your family? That when the book ends you're sad because those characters aren't in your daily life? That you start to read slower so the book lasts longer? No? Really, people. Just own it. You know it's true and it's happened to you. And if it hasn't--then we need to visit. I got book lists. And I share.<br />
<br />
So this is what happened to me. I read a book by Lauraine Snelling years ago. And lucky for me--there were 5 more to go with it. The book? <br />
<br />
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Historical fiction is my favorite genre. And if it includes a trip from overseas and settling in America even better. It's crazy. I mean, I will read anything, but historical fiction is definitely my favorite.<br />
<br />
So when Lauraine Snelling kept adding to the series with the Bjorklund family, I felt like my family was just getting bigger and bigger. I love that family. They probably love me as well. <br />
<br />
But then Snelling started another series that takes place in the Dakotas, Wild West Wind, but this time she did something mean--she only wrote 3. Lucky for me, I didn't discover this until I was almost at the end of the 3rd book. Now I don't want to finish because that means no more Mavis, Cassie, Ransom or Arnett. <br />
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But alas, I did finish. My take away? This excerpt from the first book:<br />
<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"One way is to make plans to do something and ask God </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">to block those plans if we are not in tune with Him."</span> </div>
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--p. 223, <i>Whispers in the Wind</i></div>
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Snelling makes reference to this quote in each of the subsequent novels. It's never direct, it's always in a roundabout way, but it's there. </div>
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Truer words were never written. Just sayin'.</div>
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Hays Family 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/00489079353606415484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483779363018648520.post-49968704776624408722013-10-21T06:43:00.001-05:002013-10-21T06:43:39.297-05:00I Have....20 minutes until I need to be in the shower...... So I decided that I should put up a new post. Haven't posted since June, and this seems like the perfect time to begin posting again.<br />
<br />
College Girl is now 'Miss Hays, Second Grade Teacher'. And is 1/4 of the way through her first year of teaching. <br />
<br />
Frick is now College Boy living the dream. <br />
<br />
Frack is now College Girl 2.<br />
<br />
And the 3 of them are roommates in a house they named 'The Beach'. Conversations go something like this....where are you? At The Beach! Or it's snowing at The Beach! Or we have no food at The Beach! You can just imagine the conversations my people have about The Beach.<br />
<br />
Coach and I? Empty nesters. And we are OK with it. When people ask me about how it's going, I just laugh. We were only married 10 months and 10 days when Miss Hays was born. We've got this, people, we've got this. <br />
<br />
3 minutes to spare...just sayin'.<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />Hays Family 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/00489079353606415484noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483779363018648520.post-30581512608956757572013-06-02T09:13:00.000-05:002013-06-02T09:13:46.590-05:00Sunday FavoritesSome of my favorite Sunday things......<br />
<br />
Coffee outside with the newspaper.<br />
<br />
Dinner with my family.<br />
<br />
Church.<br />
<br />
The slowness of Sunday. <br />
<br />
That time on Sunday evening as the day is wrapping up when the sun falling in the west and I am not thinking about anything.<br />
<br />
Clean sheets.<br />
<br />
The promise of a new week filled with nothing but time and a good book. <br />
<br />
Just sayin'.<br />
<br />
<br />Hays Family 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/00489079353606415484noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483779363018648520.post-30585150328750363502013-05-31T11:16:00.001-05:002013-05-31T11:16:58.392-05:0012 First YearsI just closed the door on my 18th year of teaching kids. It was my 12th first year. Make sense? No. Not at all. <br />
<br />
Let me try to explain it:<br />
<br />
When I started teaching in 1992, I thought I was hired to teach 7th and 8th grade English. Turns out, I was hired to teach 7th and 8th grade communications--which were semester classes--and 7th grade English. End of first year number one. <br />
<br />
The next school year, 1993-94, we did away with communications and I taught 7th grade English,7th grade Math and 8th grade science. We were building a new middle school, which wasn't ready for us at the beginning of the school year, so we moved in at the end of the first quarter. So I started the year in a packed up room that stayed packed up until we FINALLY moved to the new building at the end of October. Crazy. And I was pregnant. End of first year number two.<br />
<br />
For the 1994-95 school year, I had the same subjects BUT we had gotten new math books, which meant all new math lessons. And we also had a brand new science lab--which I was expected to use. We had never had a lab before and I had to design experiments to be done in the lab. End of first year number three.<br />
<br />
At this point, I retired. One year old twins, a five year old and a teaching career weren't mixing so well. My husband drove one way to work, I drove another way to work and it just wasn't working. He took Frick and Frack with him and I took College Girl with me and it just wasn't working. Retirement worked. <br />
<br />
Coming out of retirement in 1998, I was hired to teach at one of our outlying schools (we no longer have any outlying schools). A combination 5th and 6th grade classroom. This was an amazing experience. At the end of the year, it was determined 6th grade would no longer be attending 6th grade in that building. The 6th grade would go to town for middle school. The building would become a K-5 building with K-1-2 in a classroom and 3-4-5 in a classroom. This meant I was going somewhere else. End of first year number four.<br />
<br />
That somewhere else was another outlying school. For the 1999-00 year, I taught 3rd and 4th grade. End of first year number five. <br />
<br />
An amazing thing happened for the 2000-01 school year: I taught the same thing for the first time ever. When school started, I was teaching 3rd and 4th grade again! This meant that the 10 kids who had had me for 3rd grade, had me for 4th grade. That was an amazing experience. It was like we picked up in August where we had left off in May and there was none of that 'transitioning' for me or them. It was awesome. <br />
<br />
Lest I get comfortable teaching the same thing, I was asked to teach K-1 for the 2001-02 school year. We had moved the 6th grade out of this outlying school and reconfigured to a K-1, 2-3, and a 4-5 classroom. Interestingly enough, the fire marshall deemed the room where I was teaching K-1, inappropriate for Kindergartners because there wasn't a second exit. At the end of the first quarter, we moved my room upstairs to a room that had a second exit. Crazy, but true. End of my sixth first year.<br />
<br />
Again, changes were made to our outlying schools. This time we needed to reduce teaching staff, so we became a K-1-2 classroom and a 3-4-5 classroom. For the 2002-03, I was the K-1-2 teacher. <br />
<br />
Hold onto your hats......In the 7th week of the first quarter, important people show up right before morning recess. I think I can tell you what everyone was wearing that day--that's the impact the day had on me. The important people send the kids to recess with the recess supervisor and call the rest of us into a meeting. And they close the doors. Mmmmmmm.....yep. At this point they announce that they need to reconfigure the 6th grade in town and the need for an additional teacher is evident. That additional teacher would be me. A replacement would be brought in from another outlying school for me and I would begin teaching 6th grade reading second quarter. Which was 2 weeks away. I stopped teaching K-1-2 on a Friday in October and started teaching 6th grade reading on Monday. So that year I had my seventh and eight first years. <br />
<br />
I taught 6th grade reading for the 2003-04 school year, but for the whole year for the first time. It was a crazy time because my appendix burst in March of 2004 and I missed 6 weeks of school. End of my 9th first year. <br />
<br />
I had a wonderful opportunity for the 2004-05 school year. I could move up to 7th grade Reading with the kids I had the year before--basically creating a looping situation. It was a wonderful transition--we had a wonderful 7th grade team--two of us who had been with them as 6th grade teachers went with them to 7th grade and we added two new-to-the-students teachers. End of my 10th first year. <br />
<br />
For the 2005-06 school year, I was able to teach 7th grade reading again. Fun kids, great year. I am thinking I got this--and literally--the night before school is out--they tell me they are moving me to 3rd grade for the 2006-07 school year. <br />
<br />
I move my stuff to 3rd grade for the 2006-07 school year. It was great. It was my 11th first year.<br />
<br />
And you know what? I stayed there for 6 years. And then the phone call came. Last year on this exact day. Could I help them out? Could I teach 9th grade English and health? They needed to fill a late resignation and I had that combo of endorsements. Seriously. Who else but me would even have that combination of endorsements? I could say no, but not really.<br />
<br />
Thus I began my 18th year of teaching with my 12th first year. <br />
<br />
I tell you all of that to leave you with this piece of advice....<br />
<br />
Change is inevitable. <br />
Life changes. People change. Places change. Time changes. Times change. We change. Underwear changes. Stuff just changes.<br />
It's how we accept those changes that make a difference in the world.<br />
Go make a difference in the world. <br />
<br />
Just sayin'.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Hays Family 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/00489079353606415484noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483779363018648520.post-29438234511598174572013-05-30T07:41:00.002-05:002013-05-30T07:41:29.931-05:00Another Last DayToday is the last day of my first year as a Freshman English and Health teacher. At times it was the fastest year of my life and at times it was the longest year of my life.<br />
<br />
Never fear. I am alive. Freshman are amazing and wonderful--they let me live. Some days they ate my lunch and some days....I ate, well Pringles and more Pringles. Chased by a Dr. Pepper. With a side of humility. <br />
<br />
This song seems appropriate for a theme to the year....<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
<br />
One. More. Day. <br />
<br />
Just sayin'. Hays Family 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/00489079353606415484noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483779363018648520.post-11716851449954536132013-05-12T22:01:00.000-05:002013-05-12T22:01:37.039-05:0010 Days and Counting......So I took a little break from writing.....OK. That's a big, fat lie. I took a big break. I have a gazillion excuses--none of them anything anybody wants or needs to hear. <br />
<br />
But then I read <a href="http://zenhabits.net/write-daily/?buffer_share=3389f&utm_source=buffer&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Buffer%253A%252Bwillrich45%252Bon%252Btwitter" target="_blank">THIS</a>......and yep. I am not promising you'll see what I write everyday, but I do promise to write everyday. <br />
<br />
Back in the fall, when all 5 of us had 'stuff' going on.....2 kids starting college, 1 kid student teaching, new jobs for the parents, new routines, new schedules, new relationships, new ways of seeing my children as grown-ups but not really....I had no idea that I would even live through August, let alone be breathing in May. But here we are in May, and I am still alive.<br />
<br />
Breathe in. Breathe out. <br />
<br />
And just like my mom always says: It will be fine. <br />
She's smart. But don't tell her I said that because I don't want her to get a big head. <br />
Just sayin'.<br />
<br />
<br />
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Hays Family 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/00489079353606415484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483779363018648520.post-80587923236644589042013-01-14T06:00:00.000-06:002013-01-14T06:00:14.335-06:00Really Important Stuff<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1967ish</td></tr>
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Life isn't always fair. <br />
My mom ALWAYS said that to me.<br />
Mainly because I was Suzy Fair Pants about everything. <br />
And I still am.<br />
She was right....life isn't always fair.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Take a shower. <br />
My mom always said soap is cheap. <br />
There's no reason not to be clean.<br />
My mom said everybody feels better after a shower.<br />
I think she took a shower because she knew we<br />
would leave her alone.<br />
To this day, a shower solves a lot of problems.<br />
Much like time.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
My mom always said sometimes<br />
the most difficult part of your day<br />
will be to get out of bed.<br />
Do it anyway.<br />
Put your feet on the ground and<br />
move forward.<br />
<br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">June 3, 1989</td></tr>
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<br />
It will all be fine.<br />
I cannot tell you how many times<br />
my mom said this to me.<br />
Again. Right. <br />
It will all be fine.<br />
It will all be fine.<br />
<br />
<br />
It costs you nothing to be speak kindly.<br />
She was so right. So right.<br />
<br />
<br />
Paybacks are hell. <br />
She said that a lot to my brother.<br />
And....well, me. <br />
Yeah. <br />
She was right. <br />
I should have been nicer to my mother. <br />
<br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mom and College Girl, December 2012</td></tr>
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<br />
My mom worked harder than anyone<br />
I know. <br />
I know that now.<br />
And I now know why she worked so hard.<br />
<br />
It was for me. <br />
And my brother. <br />
So we could be who we are.<br />
<br />
Just sayin'. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Hays Family 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/00489079353606415484noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483779363018648520.post-9487795461526985722013-01-11T12:47:00.000-06:002013-01-11T12:47:39.532-06:00Food on FridayLooooong, looooooong week at The Hays Crew. College Girl worked a full week at her new job, Frack worked everyday all day, Frick had several pick up jobs, and of course, I started the Freshman on Romeo and Juliet. Combine all of that with the fact that the flu--stomach and influenza--are rampant in The County, it was a looooooong, looooooooong week.<br />
<br />
We are waiting for the flu to hit. It seems inescapable. I have washed my hands until it feels like they have no skin on them. I am trying to remember NOT to use the commons area bathroom at school and I am drinking water. I just keep saying, "Drink water. Wash your hands." The Freshman are tired of hearing it. Don't care. <br />
<br />
This week I don't have a recipe to share. I am going to share menus and some meal planning tips. One time we sat down as a family and made a list of meals that we would like to have for dinner. I think we came up with about 60 meals. Then, when I would sit down to meal plan, I could pull out the list, choose the meals for the week, make a grocery list and shop. Once home from the store, I would put the meals together. <br />
<br />
I know it makes me seem like a Super Star, but really, it just saved time. And money. <br />
<br />
I have tried meal prep and planning several ways. A good friend of mine planned hers monthly. She would plan for 24 meals. They usually ate out on Fridays--really--they ate at ballgames--and a couple of leftover nights. She posted a calendar with the meals for each day, bought all the ingredients and whomever got home first started the meal. <br />
<br />
Now, she's a Rock Star. I tried this system. No go at The Hays Crew. It was too easy to sub meals in for other meals. Then we would get to the end of the month with odd ingredients and back to the store I would go. Budget blown. No time saved. I was always impressed with her self-discipline. Actually, still am. <br />
<br />
I have tried planning and making meals for 2 weeks. I usually would plan for 12 meals. This left 2 nights for leftovers. Coach and I usually took leftovers for lunches. Obviously this means several items that can be made ahead and tucked in the freezer for later. I would sit down with the grocery ads and plan meals around whatever was on sale. This 2 week system worked well for us. I usually made a second trip to the store on the 'off' week for fresh fruits and vegetables. The thing I didn't like was that this system usually ended up with a lot of casserole type meals. Not always the healthiest style of cooking or eating. <br />
<br />
I have tried planning and making meals for one week at a time. This is my favorite way to plan. Grocery ads come out on Wednesday's, I could meal plan, shop sometime on Saturday, make meals and be ready for the week. Many times our big dinner on Sunday would center around our meat for the week. If chicken was on sale, then I could have chicken and noodles on Sunday, then chicken would be our main ingredient for the remainder of the week. The bad deal here is that sometimes the week would get away from me, all of sudden it would be Saturday and there I'd be with 3 meals that hadn't been eaten. Can they be frozen? Can we eat them today? Have a party? Dilemma central. <br />
<br />
As my kids aged, I stopped making meals ahead. I would simply make the menus for the week, buy the ingredients, and post the menus on the fridge. Then someone (usually me or Frick) could look at the list, pick a meal, get it started and dinner would be served. I usually planned and bought for 7 meals. I rarely made 7 meals, so then I was building up my pantry/freezer stores. The iffy part of this system is time. It takes a little longer because things aren't prepped and ready to popped in the oven, crock pot, etc. I also probably didn't save as much money because I was going to the store every week. <br />
<br />
What was on that list of 60 meals? Every body's favorites.....and some not-so-favorites. Frick doesn't eat balls of meat, College Girl isn't a fan of stir-fry and Frack, well, he'll try anything....ONCE. Coach will eat anything. No joke. He'll eat whatever is there to eat. I am OK with most things--but since I was in charge, I usually picked things I liked to eat. <br />
<br />
<br />
Here are some of our favorites.....<br />
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mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
table.MsoTableGrid
{mso-style-name:"Table Grid";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
border:solid black;
mso-border-themecolor:text1;
border:1.0pt;
mso-border-alt:solid black;
mso-border-themecolor:text1;
mso-border-alt:.5pt;
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-border-insideh:.5pt solid black;
mso-border-insideh-themecolor:text1;
mso-border-insidev:.5pt solid black;
mso-border-insidev-themecolor:text1;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-insideh-themecolor: text1; mso-border-insideh: .5pt solid black; mso-border-insidev-themecolor: text1; mso-border-insidev: .5pt solid black; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 191;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1.0pt; border: solid black; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Hot dogs</div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: 1.0pt; border: solid black; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-alt: .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Hamburgers</div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: 1.0pt; border: solid black; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-alt: .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Tater tot casserole</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1.0pt; border: solid black; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Tacos</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1.0pt; border-right: solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Chicken enchiladas</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1.0pt; border-right: solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Lasagna</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1.0pt; border: solid black; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Canned soup and
grilled cheese</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1.0pt; border-right: solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Cheeseburger mac</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1.0pt; border-right: solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Cheesy potatoes and
ham casserole</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1.0pt; border: solid black; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Pizza</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1.0pt; border-right: solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Ham and cheese
rolls</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1.0pt; border-right: solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Taco soup</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1.0pt; border: solid black; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Potato soup</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1.0pt; border-right: solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Western spuds</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1.0pt; border-right: solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Biscuits and gravy</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1.0pt; border: solid black; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Pancakes and sausage</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1.0pt; border-right: solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Chicken and noodles</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1.0pt; border-right: solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Pulled pork
sandwiches</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1.0pt; border: solid black; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Brisket</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1.0pt; border-right: solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Roast beef</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1.0pt; border-right: solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Skillet ham
casserole</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1.0pt; border: solid black; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Breakfast burritos</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1.0pt; border-right: solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Manicotti</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1.0pt; border-right: solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Fish sticks and
homemade macaroni and cheese</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1.0pt; border: solid black; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Meatballs</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1.0pt; border-right: solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Meatloaf</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1.0pt; border-right: solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Mock Chicken fried
steak</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1.0pt; border: solid black; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Steak finger wraps</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1.0pt; border-right: solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Cheese quesadillas</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1.0pt; border-right: solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Beef and noodles</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1.0pt; border: solid black; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Vegetable beef soup</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1.0pt; border-right: solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Spaghetti</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1.0pt; border-bottom: solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1.0pt; border-right: solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Oven fried chicken</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1.0pt; border: solid black; mso-border-alt: .5pt; mso-border-alt: solid black; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148">
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Waffles</div>
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BBQ beef sandwiches</div>
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Grilled chicken</div>
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Tuna casserole</div>
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Pot pie</div>
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Chicken salad</div>
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Beef enchiladas</div>
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Stir fry</div>
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<o:p>Not all of these are healthy. Just sayin'. </o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Hays Family 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/00489079353606415484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483779363018648520.post-70401371385361776052013-01-04T06:30:00.000-06:002013-01-04T06:30:00.256-06:00Food on FridayFor New Year's Day, I made a new recipe. It's a black-eyed pea soup recipe--sort of. Black eyed peas are supposed to be good luck. Coach says that's a load of bunk....but I felt like it couldn't hurt to try. <br />
<br />
This recipe made my house smell incredibly delicious. I just can't figure out why cooking onions smell so good. Coach wondered if there were candles that recreated that smell. I drew the line at that one. No onion flavored candles. <br />
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<br />
I thought it was tasty. Coach thought it was tasty. Frick thought it was tasty. <br />
<br />
College Girl and Frack? Not so much. <br />
<br />
We had it served over rice with <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/easy-speedy-corn-muffins/detail.aspx?event8=1&prop24=SR_Title&e11=speedy%20corn%20muffins&e8=Quick%20Search&event10=1&e7=Home%20Page" target="_blank">speedy corn muffins.</a><br />
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Super easy recipe...because I made it up. Let me repeat. I made it up. I feel like a rock star over this recipe. I took a couple of tried and true recipes and made this soup.<br />
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<u>Black Eyed Pea Soup</u><br />
3 cups of dried black eyed peas<br />
9 cups of water<br />
diced ham--as much as you would like<br />
1 can of diced tomatoes<br />
1 diced onion<br />
2 tbsp of jarred jalapenos plus some juice<br />
1 tbsp salt<br />
1 3/4 tsp of black pepper<br />
garlic salt--just a couple of shakes into the water<br />
cumin--maybe an 1/8 of a tsp<br />
<br />
Put all ingredients in the crock pot. Turn it on high. Let cook 6-8 hours. Serve over rice. <br />
<br />
I rock.<br />
Just sayin'.<br />
<br />Hays Family 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/00489079353606415484noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483779363018648520.post-61856950566474753782013-01-03T22:14:00.001-06:002013-01-03T22:14:23.675-06:00Throw Back Thursday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZvULQEGxzxU/UOZGFQ978UI/AAAAAAAAEeE/Xr2O8nIzMnY/s1600/DSC05369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZvULQEGxzxU/UOZGFQ978UI/AAAAAAAAEeE/Xr2O8nIzMnY/s320/DSC05369.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
Life happens so fast. <br />
Be present. <br />
Smiles are contagious.<br />
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<br />
Someday soon I'll be sitting here.<br />
Reading.<br />
Drinking lemonade.<br />
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<br />
Nobody smiles better.<br />
Time flies.<br />
Be present.<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
June 3, 1989<br />
Who knew?<br />
We did.<br />
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<br />
Friends who become family.<br />
Best friends.<br />
Love.<br />
<br />
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<br />
20 years of friendship.<br />
3 college graduates.<br />
2 college freshman and 1 high school senior.<br />
Amazing.<br />
<br />
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<br />
Sometimes<br />
you just gotta.....<br />
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<br />
<br />
Girls who grew up<br />
to be teachers.<br />
Proud doesn't even begin to<br />
cover the emotions.<br />
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<br />
Time flies.<br />
Be present.<br />
Just sayin'.Hays Family 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/00489079353606415484noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483779363018648520.post-70343026625649033752013-01-02T21:44:00.000-06:002013-01-02T21:44:10.269-06:00What Day.....Oh Yeah, It's Wednesday. Wacky Wednesday. I was pretty sure it was Monday all day. Imagine how elated I was to find out that it indeed, is already Wednesday. For me, that means only one day of dress clothes this week! Jeans on Friday, baby, jeans on Friday. <br />
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First day back at school after Christmas break--no kids. Teacher workday in the morning and PLC time in the afternoon. Kids come tomorrow. Chances are they won't know what day it is either. <br />
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Man, what a day! 3 pieces of news I wasn't expecting, but such is life. And since things come in three's...I am covered.<br />
<br />
Picture of the day:<br />
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Just sayin'.Hays Family 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/00489079353606415484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483779363018648520.post-24925062384210607122013-01-01T11:17:00.001-06:002013-01-01T11:17:42.728-06:00A Book Review in a Rant Sandwich<br />
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<span class="huge bqQuoteLink" style="background-color: #e6e6e6; border: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/marktwain100303.html" style="border: 0px; color: black; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial;" title="view quote">A person who won't read has no advantage </a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="huge bqQuoteLink" style="background-color: #e6e6e6; border: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/marktwain100303.html" style="border: 0px; color: black; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial;" title="view quote">over one who can't read.</a></span><span style="background-color: #e6e6e6; font-size: 16px;"> --</span><span class="bodybold" style="background-color: #e6e6e6; border: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/marktwain100303.html" style="border: 0px; color: #0000dd; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial;" title="view quote">Mark Twain</a></span><span style="background-color: #e6e6e6; font-size: 16px;"> </span></div>
<span style="background-color: #e6e6e6; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/mark_twain.html#pyBDzWblTs0tAwwr.99" style="border: 0px; color: #003399; font-size: x-small; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial;">http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/mark_twain.html#pyBDzWblTs0tAwwr.99</a><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></div>
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As someone who considers herself an avid reader, I am continuously amazed at how many people proudly wear the 'I am not a reader' badge. When I found this quote by Mark Twain, it brought home what I had been thinking but couldn't put into words--if you can read and don't....well, the picture is there for you to make on your own. </div>
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Read, people. READ. Read anything. A newspaper, a magazine, find a book and just get started. Take 15 minutes in your day, turn off all sound in the world and read. </div>
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Recently, my book club read <u>Bossypants</u> by Tina Fey. No glorious reviews from us will be forthcoming. In fact, out of the 6, I was the only one who even remotely liked the book. One person couldn't make herself finish, another read a few pages and promptly proclaimed, "What's the point?" and quit reading. </div>
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I did laugh out loud in the beginning of the book but by the midway point, had tired of the book. Repetitive, many details about 30 Rock (which I have NEVER, EVER watched) and it was almost like someone else had finished writing the book. </div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
Don't buy the book. If your local library has a copy, I would recommend reading the chapter My Honeymoon, Or A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again Either. Pretty darn funny time for Fey and her husband. Or for Fey anyway. Not sure her husband laughed until much later. </div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
Here's what I took away from the book: Tina Fey is who she is because she had parents who were present. Fey was what we called 'a-change-of-life-baby' because her mother was 40 when she was born. Her brother was 8 years old when Fey was born. Not unheard of in 2013, but in 1970 it was cause for whispers and head shaking. All of that--and more--but ultimately, her parents were present. Her dad was a force in her life because he was PRESENT. </div>
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A lesson for us all. Just sayin'.</div>
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</span>Hays Family 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/00489079353606415484noreply@blogger.com3