My Valentine - week 1

Need a challenge that is really worthwhile?  Here's one, the "Be My Valentine Marriage Challenge".  You'll find all the details on the Women Living Well blog (go here  http://womenlivingwell.org  )  This challenge doesn't seem hard, but speaking from experience, it just might be.....

Allow me to explain...  Often we allow our busy lives to get in the way.  Those jobs, kids, housework, cattle (we live on a small farm), and numerous other things just make us....TIRED!  We put everything else ahead of couple time when we should really invest time in us.  That is why I am determined to take this challenge.  I want that hard-workin' man of mine to know just how much I appreciate him and everything he does for me and for our family.  There are days when he comes home cold, tired, and hurting (the knee surgery year before last is not helping, anymore) and I know all he wants to do is crash, but he doesn't.  He is the chief laundry elf around the house (I love him even more for that!)

I am so thankful God brought him into my life, though times may get a little tense, and I often don't seem grateful, I really am.  I love you, Chris Jennings, March 22 will be our 10th anniversary and I'm even more blessed now than I was 10 years ago.

Ties that bind....

It's important to remember our heritage.  It's important to know our roots.  It's important to remember from where we came, at least it is to me.

Chris received one of the neatest gifts for Christmas.  No, it wasn't incredibly expensive, but it is priceless.  His mom and sister-in-law found some very important pieces of American history and put them in shadow boxes....WWI ration stamps and books.  

World War I ration stamps & book.  In the lower right corner is a photo of Chris's great-grandad, Homer Jennings.

I had never seen a ration book.  I've heard about them and read about them, but to actually see them made history even more tangible.  So...real.

A few weeks ago I mentioned on Facebook that my grandmother said she looked like her grandmother when she saw a photo of herself.  Thanks to a cousin, I now have a picture of my great, great grandmother Holliday.  It's a treasure.

Logan & Mammaw, December 2012.

My great-great-grandmother, Polly Holliday

Because family history is important to me, over the next few weeks I will be digging through some old family photos and posting a little about my family history...and hopefully some of Chris's family history, as well.

A different Christmas night.

I think we had a pretty tree this year, even if it was a little unusual it was a good representation of who we are. . . well, maybe what we like. . . okay, what I like since the boys could care less if the tree even had ornaments and Casey wasn't here to help decorate it this year.

Just for the record, that ornament with the Longhorn is in support of the VIOLA Longhorns, not Texas.  I'd hate for the Razorback ornaments to turn in shame if they thought it was a Texas Longhorn. :) 

Our eclectic traditional/cowboy/Cardinals/Longhorns/Razorback/fishing/hunting Christmas tree.

Our Christmas tradition has been the same for several years, Christmas morning Austin usually reads us the Christmas Story from Luke 2, but this year Logan got a new Bible and he wanted read it to us.  It was precious to me to hear my sweet 8 year old reading his new Bible.  After our gifts at home were open we head to Chris's parents for lunch and to spend the early afternoon, then Christmas evening we go to my aunt & uncle's house with Mom's side of the family.  I always look forward to a busy Christmas day and enjoy the time with family.  However, God had different plans for us this year.

Logan reading us the passage in Luke 2 about the birth or Christ.

A white Christmas was in the forecast, so we kept a close eye on the weather.  Casey had a 3 hour drive home Christmas night because she had to work the next day.  I really didn't want her getting stranded somewhere between here and there.  When a friend texted and told her it was sleeting she made the decision to head home.  With a care package from Granny of homemade hot rolls and chocolate dessert, she loaded up and headed southwest.  When we got word it was sleeting closer to us we opted to skip the Christmas tradition and spend the evening at home.

We settled in as the snow started to fall and Chris and the boys put together Logan's new Lego set, then we broke out Austin's new "Whitetailopoly" game.  He beat me....not surprising.

Whitetailopoly, pretty fun game.

Lego time!

While I really missed seeing my family, I'm thankful for the time with my boys, and after Casey called to tell me she made it home safely I was even more thankful! (It only took her 4 1/2 hours to make a normal 3 hour trip....I think she was as glad to be home as I was for her to be home!)

December 26th, he couldn't wait to get outside!

Yes, I was driving, but I was holding the steering wheel which is why the photo is a little tilted.  Some of the drifts touched the running boards of my Yukon.

I am sure the Lord was watching over us all.  We weren't out on the roads during bad weather, which would have only added to the stress of the season, and there is plenty of that without taking crazy chances.  I hope you all had a Merry Christmas.

Art History can be fun!

I found this link on a friend's Facebook page.  It's so great I had to share.  This is the history of Art condensed to 3 minutes set to the music of Bohemian Rhapsody!  Love!

Click and enjoy!

iPad blogging

So this post is a little test just to see if I can really blog from the iPad. If it works as easily as I hope I should post a little more often.....wonder how to post photos? Hey, I think I figured it out, cool!

Photo A Day project.

Here's a little challenge for you.  Grab your camera and . . . USE IT!  Participate in Photo A Day; it causes you to really look, in a fresh and creative way, at your surroundings.

I love this idea.  I love using me camera as a tool for catching small pieces of everyday life that we normally take for granted.  I love using my camera....period!  It's a cool camera... I think it loves me, too...I would rescue it from a burning building (okay maybe not a BURNING building...perhaps a smouldering building... which wouldn't be smouldering if I opened the door to run in because the oxygen would hit the smoulder area and cause it to burst into flames thus ruining my camera and making me smell like a freshly branded cow....did I mention the ADD is really bad tonight?  Where was I??) Oh, yeah, rescuing my camera....I think I'll just keep it with me at all times actively reducing the threat of having to run into a burning building to rescue my camera.  I love it when I solve a problem that I hope may never, ever happen; it's just good to be prepared.

Back tot his photo thing.  Here are the rules:  Look at the list, find the appropriate number that coincides with today's date and take a photo of the thing on the list.  Easy breezy! (beautiful Covergirl)  Did I mention I have the attention span of a gnat?   I would set up a linky thing on here, but I don't know how and I'd probably just be embarrassed because only 3 people read my blog and I would feel really goofy if no one posted anything.

Just in case you are having trouble reading the list, I'll post it...because I'm just generous that way.

1.  Peace                                                            17.  Snack
2. Skyline                                                          18.  Something you made
3. Something you wore today                           19.  A favorite place
4.  Fun                                                               20.  Something you can't live without.
5.  Bird                                                              21.  Where you stand
6.  You                                                              22.   Pink
7.  Something that inspires you                        23.  Technology
8  A smell you adore                                        24.  Something new
9.  Something you do everyday                        25. unusual
10.  A favorite word                                         26.  12 O'Clock
11.  Kitchen                                                     27.   Something Sweet
12.  Something that makes you happy             28.  Tbe weather today
13.  Mum                                                         29.   A number
14   Grass                                                         30.   The weather today 
15   Love                                                          31.  Something beautiful
16.  What you're reading

There is your list, now GET BUSY!   (Shhhhhhh!  I'll post mine in a couple of days....)

Joy & Angst....

This is normally a source of joy....at least for me....my family might disagree....

I don't play very well; I don't read music very well; and I can only play in 3 keys (probably goes back to that not reading music thing).  My mom's side of the family is very musical, they can all play instruments and play them well.  I wish I had gotten more of that gene. 

But today.....(there's that but)....this lovely little Baldwin beauty has become a source of my angst...along with that wonderful little dark blue songbook perched precariously on the music stand. (Don't you just love the Heavenly Highways Hymnal?  I do...usually)  Why are these normally wonderful things a source of angst?  Because I have to play the piano, out of that songbook, in front of people Sunday morning.  My palms are already sweaty.  (Can you short out an electric piano with the sweat from your palms?)  

It's Phyllis's fault, but I still love her....maybe. (wink)   Phyllis is our church pianist.  She plays by the notes (I wish I could do that).  We have a young man in the church (really young, like 13 or 14) who wants to play his mandolin, so he is playing Sunday morning, a medley from the Heavenly Highways.... "I'll Have a New Life", "When We All Get To Heaven" and "I'll Fly Away".  If you look in the songbook you will see that the first 2 are written in the key of C, if you look at page 54 you will notice that "I'll Fly Away" isn't.  The problem, our mandolin player can only play in C, our pianist can only play by the notes.  She asked me if I could play it in C (which I can, because that's one of the 3 keys I can pick out), and show her the notes.  After showing her the notes she decided I needed to "expand my God-given talents" and play it Sunday morning instead of her. 

Gasp!  I'm having heart palpitations....seriously.   We practiced tonight and our music director (James) is playing the guitar which sounds great, and Cameron is playing is mandolin; which sounds great, and I'm going to attempt to play the piano...which doesn't sound so great.

Pray for me, especially at 11am central daylight time on Sunday morning.  The congregation will thank you.  I will probably be hyperventillating into a paper bag around that time. 

My family will be so glad when Sunday morning is over....I think they are already tired of these 3 songs.

Ahhh, that sweet dismissal bell...tone...noise...whatever.

Today was a good day.

The boys got around early this morning, and they didn't fight...well, maybe a couple of cross words, but I can deal with that.

My hair looked pretty good in spite of the rain.

My kids at school were well behaved. 

The BETA Club, FCCLA, & FBLA clubs provided lunch for the teachers for teacher appreciation. 

The sun came out, so I walked to the post office right after lunch (my conference hour),

and look what was waiting for me there!

I think I squealed in the post office.  Thankfully we are in a very, very small town and no one was in there....except the postmaster....but we grew up together so he knows to overlook me.

My last 2 classes of the day only had 5 students each.

The final bell (beep...buzzer...tone...whatever it's called) rang at 3:07, and.........................................

I'M OFFICIALLY ON SPRING BREAK UNTIL MARCH 26TH!   (Oh yeah, it's ma birthday, it's ma birthday....well, not really, but I feel like it.) 

Thanks to Pinterest I have many, many projects planned for this next week.  I'll try to remember to share.

I love sunshine!

 It seems like my efforts to be a better blogger always fall a little short as life gets busier and busier.  Someday I'll have a chance to blog often . . . . maybe.

So here's what we've been up to the last few days (because there have been so many days since I last blogged I don't remember them all)

Thursday it was unseasonably warm.  We're talking 76 degrees on February 23rd.  I thought I was dreaming and we were really in Florida instead of Arkansas.  Just for you skeptics, here's the proof!



February 23, 2012

The last week has been really nice.  We missed two days of school on February 13&14 because of snow, but the days before and the days following the snow have been sunny and warm.  We came around our corner (on the dirt road) and noticed the jonquils were in bloom, so Logan and I decided to take a little walk after school.  Charly (Austin's little Australian Shepherd) went with us, too.  She's such a pretty, sweet little girl...if she would just quit digging up the yard trying to catch a mole.  Maybe I should wish her luck and after she catches the mole our troubles will be over.  I love that dog!  I'll have some pictures of her later.


This sweet boy decided I needed a big boquet of sunshine.  We're really enjoying them! 



I love this sweet boy!



Finally, I've been working on the creative mojo, and I think it's coming back!  I haven't drawn in so long I didn't even know if I could do it anymore, but I did these 2 drawings fairly quickly.  They're just done of 9 x 12 sketchbook paper....scratch that, the horse was done on a drawing paper scrap from school, it's about a 10 x 12.  Both are done with pencil (regular old #2 drawing pencil). 

I've rediscovered my love of pencil.

I think I'll be drawing more since I remembered how to do it.



Drawn from a snapshot I took of Logan.  I think he was 2.  My baby is growing up too fast.
I promise if you see the drawing in person he really doesn't look cross-eyed!



Drawn from a snapshot I took of Casey and her old horse, Dusty. 
She was only about 14 at the time.  I need to work on the face a little, it
just doesn't look exactly right to me, but I'll get it right....eventually.

That's it for now.  I need to get some pictures uploaded from my camera before I do another blog post so it may be a while.  Until then.  May you be blessed, and have a wonderful spring.  I'm calling it spring.  I don't want more cold.

Crystal Bridges & the Native American Museum

Better late than never, right?  Here is just a small sampling of the shots I took last Thursday at the Native American Museum and the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.  Both are located in Bentonville, AR, and both are definitely worth checking out. 

Now let's go native!
There was something representing each nation, but I don't remember exactly which headdresses were which, but they were all absolutely amazing!  The craftsmanship and detail are just beautiful beyond words!

Take a really close look at this hat and necklace.  The hat is made from a bear paw and the necklace is a bearclaw necklace....looks like a piece of the bear's paw, too.  Now I know why the Apache were considered a very strong, fearless nation....anyone who kills a bear with a bow and arrow deserves respect!

This case was filled with ceremonial dance fans and were awesomely gorgeous just like the headdresses.  I wanted the peacock one on the left...but I think the museum people would have frowned on that so I took a picture instead.

Hey, there's my Mamma in a tee-pee.....

 There were so many things at the Native American Museum, you should go and check it out yourself.  I fell in love with the textiles and pottery.

Our next stop was Crystal Bridges.  If you don't know anything about this place you need to change that...soon.  To help further your education here's a link to Crystal Bridges. If I ever see Alice Walton I'm going to hug her neck for creating this wonderful, magical place.....but she would probably just call security because she would wonder who was this strange, crazy woman trying to choke her....

We were treated to a box lunch (which was very good, and the same can be purchased in the museum cafe) then a tour guide came to take our group through the galleries. (yes, gallerIES plural, it's fabulous...I could live there....but then there's that whole security thing)

The galleries are seperated by chronological order, so the older American art was the first we passed through.  We didn't slow down much because our tour guide was on a mission.  She led us directly to this...

 A painting by Asher B. Durand entitled "Kindred Spirits".  Durand was one of the members of the Hudson River School of artists who really focused on nature and landscapes.  Google Hudson River School...that's your homework for today....there might be a quiz.

On to the next gallery and I seriously started having heart palpitations.  There was a MARY CASSATT painting!  Gasp!  The ONLY American to exhibit with Claude Monet and Pierre Auguste Renoir... Do you think either of those men touched this painting?

Some of you may not be experiencing the awe and joy as me, but let me tell you, for an Art teacher this was better than an Elvis!

Now, no self-respecting, world-class exhibit of American Art could ever be complete without a little Norman Rockwell, and who better to represent the American people but "Rosie the Riveter" herself.  Yes ma'am, there she is, halo and all...and her foot is placed not-so-delicately upon a copy of Hitler's "Meine Kampf".  Take that, mustache boy!  Look at those guns on Rosie, she could give you a whippin' and make you like it! 

Would you like to guess what was on the wall adjacent to Rosie?  A self portrait by Grant Wood!  Oh yes, THE Grant Wood who painted American Gothic (with the little old couple, a pitchfork, and a gothic window)  I'm pretty sure by this time Mom had bruises on her arm from me digging my fingers in while saying, "Look!  Look!  There's a Grant Wood......."

Oh look, Pinocchio was there, too....I think he was working security.

Continuing through the galleries, you will eventually come to the 20th century rooms, and there you will find Andy Warhol's "Dolly Parton" 

And you will also find a Roy Lichtenstein sculpture.  I took several of this one because I really think the hubs can make me one of these....the man's a master with a welder! 

So, there's your brief tour.  I have tons more photos, but Blogger was being a little cranky tonight and I couldn't get them to load.  I may have to add those later.

photography

I found this on Facebook and discovered you can't pin to Pinterest from Facebook.  GASP!  So I decided to "borrow" it and post it here so I can put it on Pinterest.   I think I have a slight addiction to Pinterest.  I may need a support group.

Is this not one of the sweetest shots you've ever seen?!!  Lindsay, guess what I want to do with you, Lance, and Bennett (when he gets here).  I think we can add Landon's little hands in there somewhere, too.

Crystal Bridges

I'm so excited, tomorrow I'm going here....Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art

I am so excited about this trip. I've read as many articles on the place as I can find.  It is a great Museum founded by AliceWalton (daughter of Mr.Wal-Mart himself) and contains her expansive and expensive collection of American Art. What makes this place unique is the fact there is no admission. Wal-Mart donated something like 20 million dollars to cover admission fees forever....or at least for a very long time.

I also found out I can take my camera in the museum, so the big Nikon is charged and rearin' to go...okay, maybe it's just ready and I'm rearin'

While I had planned a witty post for tonight about the goings on the Jennings clan, my eyes have other plans. For some reason they just won't stay open.....I shall succumb to the Sandman.  In the meantime, check back in sometime and, with a little luck and a few cups of coffee, see the photos I'll have.

You'll probably want to add Crystal Bridges in Bentonville, Arkansas to your bucket list.

Why?

Why do we place limits on ourselves that often seem ridiculous?  I had promised myself to blog more often, but I have this crazy idea that a blog post just isn't worth reading unless there are photos included.  I know, that's a really dumb thought, but that is how my mind works.  So many times I typed out a post only to delete it because I didn't have a photo to go with it. 

Maybe it's intimidation.  I read other blogs and they are filled with adorable photos of smiling children, or full of "how to" photos of the most fantastically, creative ideas.  I've got nothin'. 

On another note, Casey and I are embarking on a new, creative adventure.  We are working together to do a little photography.  We have decided to call our little business  "Oh Shoot! Photography"  I guess I do have a slight creative juice left.

3 more days...

until this movie opens at our "local" theater.

It was produced by the same studio that made The Blind Side, and that movie was awesome!  This weekend is the nationwide opening of Dolphin Tale, so get out and support this movie and show those big Hollywood studios that we want GOOD things to watch, not this trashy, violet, foul-mouthed stuff that seems to be so popular.  Just in case you are in the Mtn. Home area, it's showing at Sun Valley Cinema (they didn't pay me to give them a plug, either....but if you go to their website they do have a coupon for free popcorn....and who doesn't love movie popcorn?

Now, about this girl.  Her name is Winter, she is a bottlenose dolphin, and is a permanent resident of the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.  She was still a baby when she was found beached with her tail caught in the monofilament line of a crab trap.  It was so damaged her tail had to be amputated just to save her life.  True story. 

Winter with her prosthesis

Winter learned, against all odds, to swim without a tail, and thanks to one persistent kid, she ended up as the first "fish" with a prosthesis...which was made by a doctor who normally makes human prosthetics. 

Winter without the prosthesis, she is so amazing!

 So that's all you're getting from me, you need to go see the movie....go to the matinee and look for us, we will be the ones wearing the "Winter" and "Clearwater Marine Aquarium" t-shirts....Logan said we had to wear them when we go see the movie...I've promised, but I love the shirt! (mine's pink, his is aqua blue with dolphins on it, come say hi)

Just in case you want to know a little more about her...I'm that way, I always want to know more....you can access the CMA website at www.seewinter.com

Labor Day weekend

Saturdays are always busy around here, and holiday weekends are no exception.  We didn't have any super fun plans, though(....well, except Casey, she left Friday for the Chuck Wagon races.... I've said a prayer... I hope her guardian angels can fly fast!)  I was determined to get the basement room set up like a living room for the kids (thanks, Mom, for the couch and recliner).  Chris had some things to do (always), Logan was into something, several somethings, actually, and Austin went with Rich to take Rosie to get her hooves trimmed before the district fair. (She got a little heifer pedicure! )  Nothing out of the ordinary, but I like ordinary days.

Well, maybe "nothing out of the ordinary" isn't exactly correct, we did add a new family member. Her name is Charley, and she is an Australian Shepherd puppy. She is so cute! (I could so be the crazy dog lady...if Chris would let me)

Austin, Logan, and Miss Charley

CJ checking out his new sister.

Darrell was a little miffed, he's afraid he will lose his alpha dog status....not happening, he's still the boss.

The boys ran off and left her this morning, she was sad until they came back.

I wish I had more witty things to say, but I'm watching the Dance Moms marathon on Lifetime.  It's like watching a train wreck, but I can't look away! 

Maybe I'll post again later....

Times...they are a changin'

30 years ago....notes were taken on paper with a pen or pencil; today we have laptops, iPads, and Palm Pilots.

30 years ago...you found books at the library or a bookstore, you held a book in your hand an dogeared pages to keep your place; today we have Kindles, Nooks, and iPads with millions of books at the touch of a button.

30 years ago...you could call a company or business and the phone was answered by a real, live person; today we are greeted by a recorded voice who prompts us to "press one", "press two" , "enter the extension number of your party followed by the pound key."

30 years ago...we wrote letters, made phone calls, and met friends at the local hangout; today we interact through email, Facebook, Twitter, and other social media.

30 years ago...Microfiche was cutting edge technology which helped you locate your research topics in books in the library or newspaper; today the internet brings information to our fingertips twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

30 years ago...cameras used film and photos took several days to process; today we photos are seen instantly on a digital screen.

30 years ago...telephones were land lines and were located in our homes (some still attached to the wall via a curly cord), and only made phone calls; today cell phones fit easily in our pockets and contain texting, internet, digital cameras, address books, music players, games, and can make calls.

30 years ago...cable tv offered around 30 channels and was available in towns or cities, those of us in rural areas got 3 channels from an antenna (if the weather was just right); today satellite tv provides us with 300+ channels and kids complain "there's nothing on tv!"

30 years ago...kids were taught respect and responsibility at home, parents sided with teachers, and corporal punishment was common practice and accepted; today many parents are absent, respect has been replaced by entitlement, teachers are often told, "what happens at school is your problem", and spanking in school can be grounds for a lawsuit.

If the increase in technology means the demise of good, moral character have we truly improved society?  If the answer is yes, what does the future hold?  What has happened to personal interaction?  I despise the "self checkout" lanes in stores, and think we are losing something very important by replacing people with machines. 

Though we may worry and wonder what the future will bring, we can always count on one thing....
     For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to
                 harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.   Jeremiah 29:11

Oh, Food Network....

you've done it again, and I'm not disappointed!

I've been waiting all week for this new show with the Pioneer Woman, and it was definitely worth the wait!  (This woman cooks food that my family will actually eat with ingredients you can find in rural Arkansas....she's in rural Oklahoma....no black truffles and fresh lobsters around these parts.

Ree Drummond aka: the Pioneer Woman. 

So, what was the fantastic gastronomical delights she had today....chicken fried steak!  You just can't beat a good chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes and white gravy.  I've had to wipe the drool from my chin more than once this morning.  

Chicken fried steak....be still my heart!

So, all this Food Network goodness has put me in the mood to cook....I hope the mood is still with me after I get this house cleaned. ......

15 Years....

....That is the number of years I have been a teacher in the Arkansas public school system.  I've learned many things in the last 15 years, so I thought I'd share a few with you, just in case you might choose to go into the field of education, or if you've ever just wondered....(I wonder about things like that)

Here you go, here are my top 10 in random order (aka: the order they pop into my head):

1.(because this is the one that is bugging me today)  Energy drinks, (such as Amp, Nos, Monster, Rockstar, Red Bull, or the numerous other caffeine laden sugar laced liquid of choice) should NOT be sold to anyone under the age of 20, ESPECIALLY before 5 pm!  (this will give said obnoxious side effects to run through the system of a teenager before they must report back to school. 
.... but wait, there's more.....  Should these companies balk at the idea of not selling these products to teens, they should be forced to spend 8 hours locked in a room with Monster swilling teens, while making them fill in the bubbles on a standardized testing form.  I think we would definitely see a change in sales policies.

2.  Spending exhorbitant amounts of money on jeans with holes is just.....stupid.  Give me the same amount of cash you spend on a new, torn up pair of Silver jeans and I will soon be able to purchase that mobile Mac lab for students.  Should you still want jeans with holes, go buy a cheap pair and sign up for a shop class....preferably welding....trust me, using a welder or a grinder will soon put many stylish holes in your jeans.  I know this because the hubs welds and we have many, many pairs of jeans and long sleeved shirts with stylish holes...they are even singed around the edges so not to fray, and all it cost was the price of regular old pair of Wranger 13MWZ's. 

3.  Teachers do not want to see the color of your underwear.  We would prefer you keep it covered at all times.  This also includes cleavage (for girls), and the slogan "Say NO to crack" applies to more than just drugs.

Four. (yeah, my numeral four key is broken...it was the result of an unfortunate orange soda accident....which is my next little tip)  If you have your own, personal children in your classroom after school, ban them from your desk, especially if they are arguing with each other and one happens to have an orange soda in his hand.

5.  Be a lifelong learner, listen, be open to new ideas and thoughts....though it is still very difficult for me not to think of Pluto as a planet.  Poor Pluto, wonder how he feels about being demoted?  (and you thought I was going say something really profound when you read that first sentence!)

6. Go when you can, not when you have to.  Roadtrip bathroom rules apply for school days, too, the minute you walk out of that classroom, chaos will ensue. (This one is especially helpful for new teachers.)

7.  Your classroom is not a democracy, it's a dictatorship, you are Hitler...or Ghengis Khan....or Ivan the Terrible....or Leona Helmsley.  Let them know that the first day, but also let them know dictatorships can be fun if they will obey.

8.  Air freshener, Scentsy, Febreeze, and other good smelling products are your friends, keep them on hand at all times.....especially if you have 8th grade boys in the afternoon.....

9.  Teachers are allowed to act goofy (at times) and make mistakes, and when we laugh at our mistakes it makes us more "real".  Teachers can also sing to their students....lovely little ditties that will be stuck in their heads the rest of the day....it's a form of mind control...."Oh where is my hairbrush, oh where is my hairbrush, oh where, oh where, oh where, oh where, oh wheeeeeerrrreeee, is my hairbrush!"  (works on students from grades 7-12, I have not yet had the opportunity to test it on younger victims, but now all I have to say is "Do I need to sing the HAIRBRUSH song?" 

10.  You will not change every single child that comes through your room, but don't stop trying to change the world;  if you make an impact on one, you have touched the future.  Results aren't immediate, it may take several years to know you have had a positive influence on a young life; it is worth the wait.

11. (yes, I said 10, but I also said as they pop into my head, so here's a bonus tip)  Sometimes kids don't need to listen, they need to talk and be heard.  We teach, but we also listen.  You never know what is going on in the home or the life of one of your students, always remember, "Be kind to everyone, you never know what kind of battle someone is fighting." 

I can have fun with the tips, but as long as I can remember, I have wanted to be a teacher.  I remember lining stuffed animals up in chairs and teaching them things on a little slate (yes, I was a huge fan of Laura Ingalls and just had to have one of those little slates.  If you don't know what a slate is, look it up....be a lifelong learner.)  Yes, I could make lots more money being a graphic designer, but a part of me would be missing.  I love my job, I love my school, and I love my kids....all my kids....even the ones who show up with an energy drink.