The TRUTH about summer vacation ....

It is around this time of year that I start hearing things like "Oh I wish I got a summer break" "I bet you love that, lounging around all summer" As many of you know I am a speech pathologist in my local school district. I work a 187 day/year contract. I remember what I thought teachers do all summer long and those thoughts have not changed much over the years. Most people think educators spend all summer with their feet up and not a care in the world ... what you are about to read is what MOST educators I know do all summer long.

1. We worry about the kids who were in our class this year. you know little Johnny whose dad just lost his job and the family was already having a difficult time making it. or little Susie who mother's parental choice leave much to be desired and often put little Susie in situations no girl her age should be in.

2. We work out plans for next school year like room designs, themes, furniture arrangements, centers and color schemes

3.We spend a small amount of time getting our homes back in order after neglecting them due to the mountains of work we brought home the last nine weeks of school i.e. lesson plans, papers to grade etc...

4. Try to make up for the times we had to put off doing something with out children because we needed to spend extra time in the classroom preparing for our students.

5. We attend professional development days to deep our certifications current and avoid being ou of the classroom during instructional time.

6. We work on lesson plans - it helps to start the year with a few complete.

7. Some educators are involved in curriculum writing and reviewing

8 Many go to team/grade level meetings

9. We are busy overseeing our children's summer learning activities/assignments

10.  Anything we can do to make next school year better than the previous one!

So while you may read on facebook that we spent the day at the pool you can rest assured I usually have my "teacher bag" with me. MOST teacher's are extremely dedicated individuals who got into this profession because we love to be a part of helping children to grow and reach their full potential. We work many hours that are labeled "vacation" and not included in our contract. It's definitely summer ... Vacation? well we won't exactly call it that!

Meatloaf .... It's what's for dinner!

 I'm not talking about your regular run of the mill meatloaf either. I am so blessed that as an independent Pampered Chef consultant I have a wealth of information and time saving tools at my fingertips. Tonight I decided to use my fancy tools to make mini meatloaves. They were so yummy and the kids ate them up. Here's how I did it.
 INGREDIENTS
1 lb lean ground beef
2 eggs
1 whole hamburger bun
1 T Pampered Cheff 3 Onion Rub
1T Pampered Chef Green Pepper and Herb Rub

Preheat your oven to 350

Place hamburger bun inside this handy dandy tool aka ... Manual food processor and pump the handle until you have bread crumbs. Dump the remainder of the incredients into the Classic Batter bowl

Use the mix n Chop with a twist of the wrist to thoroughly blend all the ingredients. 

 

Once the mixture is thoroughly blending use the medium
scoop to portion enough meat for each mini meatloaf.
Place one heaping scoop into the mini brownie pan and
the mini mix and scrapper to flatten the top of each loaf.

Place the brownie pan in the oven and cook for 12 min. Remove from oven, garnish with ketchup and place back in the oven for another 8 minutes. Remove from oven allow to sit for about 5 minutes and enjoy! 

42 things I know about me.

As my weight loss journey continues I am learning way more about me than I ever really wanted to know. :) Here are just a few facts. Of coarse this is all in addition tot he fact that I love Jesus and my family. I picked 42 because that is also my age :)
1. I work best under pressure
2. I need a schedule
3. Developing a routine is imperative to my daily success.
4. Developing a daily TO DO list is imperative to my daily efficiency
5. I am an eternal optimist, always looking for the best in any situation and the best in every person.
6. My drive to loose weight is NOT greater than my love of food
7. I keep most people including myself at arms length so none of us have to see the "ugly"
8. I am a procrastinator
9. I am more like my dad than I would like to admit.
10. I wish I had more of my mom's qualities.
11. I am a dreamer
12. I hate rules and regulations and feel like they leave no room for creativity and self expressing despite the fact that I DO recognize the need for them.
13. I would love to be able to call myself a dancer, designer, or artist.
14. I taught myself to sew but haven't done it now for several years despite the fact that I love it.
15. I love to worship my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
16. I am often working out money making ideas in my head.
17. I love my children fiercely but often don't know how to tell them or show them.
18. I fear rejection by people in general.
19. My fear of rejection often keeps my creativity squelched
20. Add writer to the titles I would like to have.
21. I fear getting myself into a situation/conversation in which I have no idea of how to respond.
22. Being or giving hugs makes me feel uncomfortable and awkward.
23. I dream of making an unforgettable mark on this world.
24. Sometimes I feel like a foreigner in my everyday life.
25. I dream of visiting Africa or Haiti and loving on children who have never known love and of bringing hope to another single mother. First by introducing her to Jesus Christ and then teaching her a money making skill so she can support her children.
26. I love to know about the real world lives or others
27. Knowing about the real world lives of others often makes me feel incomplete and inadequate.
28. I want to homeschool my children
29. I have a fresh bread baking, home made cookie making, dinner on the table every night kind of heart.
30  As organized as I try to be ..... I am a mess
31. Many days I feel like I missed the life I was supposed to have due to my own disobedience. Read #12
32. One of my lifes greatest sadnesses is not knowing my extended family very well on both my mom's    and dad's side.
33. I hope that before my father died he knew how much I loved him and was never able to really tell him.
34. I wish I had been wiser in my early adult years and understood the impact of financial decisions, credit score and future options.
35. I wish I had a better handle of finances period.
36 I wish I taught my children how to make smart financial decisions.
37. Sometimes I feel like I haven't taught them anything they need to know to be independent adults.
38. I miss those days before they all knew how to make their own pb and j.
39. Somedays I wonder how life would be different if I weren't single.
40. I love to entertain. Give me a dinner party to plan and I am in hog heaven.
41. When speaking of my children I will take spiritual growth and maturity over academic success any day.
42.When listening to music I can often visualize a dance to go with it.