Wrapping Up November

I bought this preprinted coloring calendar to use at school this year.  So far, for the few months that we've been in school, this has been the farthest I've gotten with the actual coloring.  And this was only because I had almost forgotten to do my online safe-schools training courses that were supposed to be done by December 1.  Let's see if the December calendar comes any closer to being done!

 

 

I was very touched to received a Spotlight Award this month. This is something new that our district has started this year.  The recipients are nominated by parents, students, or colleagues.  Two of my fellow office co-workers from other schools and I were nominated by a parent from out district for always being so helpful.  We try!

 

And as we ushered out November, my painting buddies and I had dinner and painted another Christmas canvas.  As you can see (that's me on the far right), I clearly failed the background because you cannot see my hills in the foreground.  So, I will be doctoring this one up a bit.  First, I did already have in mind to add battery operated fairy lights to the pine bough by punching holes through the canvas.  And instead of painting my bows on the tops of the ornaments, I planned on adding real bows.  So...........what to do with that lower right-hand corner.  I'm thinking possibly a partial rooftop??????  A holly bush??????  Part of a snowman's hat???????  Any suggestions?

Speaking of Awards

Over the last month or so I've received three Stylish Blogger Awards and I've been very remiss in my acceptance so without further ado, I'd like to thank:

Holley from Holley's Hobbies
Kim from Stamp, Scrap and Get Kreative
Debbie from The Paper-azzi Connection

You should check out the blogs of these wonderfully talented ladies.  You will not be disappointed.

Now I'm supposed to do two things - tell you 8 things about myself and pass this on to 8 deserving bloggers.  I'm going to do the first and change the second a little.

1.  I can name all the fifty states in less than a minute.

2. When I asked my mother how she chose my name she told me it was the name of a carpet store that she and my father used to pass by when they were dating.

3.  The job that I've held the longest was that of substitute teacher - 15 years.

4.  I love to bake but I hate to clean up.

5.  I hand-raised a clutch of cockatiels.

6.  Before I had children I played woman's slow-pitch softball and was a pitcher.

7.  My sisters and I took dancing lessons and began when we were very young - 5 & 6 yrs.-old.  We were ducklings in our first recital and danced to "A Wiggle and a Waddle and a Clap, Clap, Clap".

8.  When I got married my hair was down to my waist, now it's just about as short as HWNSNBP's.

So now it's your turn - and I mean YOUR turn.  That is, anyone reading this, lurking out there, visiting randomly or regulary - please feel free to grab up this award for yourself and let me know in the comments section, and should you care to add my link to your acceptance that would be great.   I know some of you have award-free blogs and chose for them to be that way and I respect that.  But I think everyone with a blog has some style of their own and certainly deserve a Stylish Blogger Award for themselves.

Teacher's Who Make Magic

One of our local radio stations, WMGQ 98.3, aka Magic 98.3, sponsors an event called Teachers Who Make Magic.  Beginning in December they take nominations and after they choose the teachers from those that are nominated, they read a few of the essays on the radio each Friday until they get through them all.

This year I decided to nominate our physical education teacher and lo and behold, she was chosen in early December.  I won't reiterate my nominating essay here, but just let you know that this teacher is dedicated, inspiring, and full of energy - and she's a grandmother!

On March 10th they held a dinner to honor all the teachers that were chosen.  They called each one up to the stage individually and read the essays and as they left the stage they were given their award and met by the person that nominated them. 

This is the centerpiece that was on our table which I was lucky enough to bring home.  Such a lovely mixture of spring flowers with those gorgeous roses and lilies tucked in.  (The lilies opened a couple of days later.)

So once again I say, congratulations to Shirley for a job extremely well done!

Thanks Judi

My sweet blogging friend Judi Rose has honored me with a Beautiful Blogger award.  She has a wonderful blog called Paper Rose Petals and she does some awesome cardmaking ladies and gents.  You should visit her blog if you get a chance.  She's got bluebirds too!!!

Now I'm supposed to share some things about me that you don't already know.  Hmmm, that's not easy because I'm sure there'll be some of you who know some of these things already.

I love mysteries and doing sudoku puzzles and I'm currently listening to Andrea Bocelli's Vivere whenever I can.  My new favorite treat to eat is Häagen Dazs Cranberry Blueberry Sorbet.   When I was a child my favorite color was green until a cousin of mine told me I couldn't have green because that was her favorite.  So, playing by her rules, I chose blue as my favorite which has suited me better in the long run.  I have a collection of 20+ bowling balls in my basement.  I started repurposing them as yard ornaments several years ago but I haven't done any lately and I'm hoping to get some inspiration to do some more this summer.  I'm a good cook and a better baker, but I don't like cleaning up and I'm still trying to drop another 20 pounds so I've been refraining from trying any new cookie recipes although I still add them to my recipe box.  I am very good at procrastinating. So much so that it has taken me several days to post this!

I will pass this on to two blogging friends with the understanding that they should feel free to accept or decline as they see fit, and whether they do or they don't I will still consider them Beautiful Bloggers.  Please visit my friend Sabrina at My Miscellany.  She is a multi-talented lady who inspires me with her photographs and her creative genious on an almost daily basis.  And drop by to visit my friend Kim at Stamp, Scrap, & Get Kreative.  She will make you smile with her wonderful projects and her sense of excitement.

Sunshine Award

It's so nice to receive awards don't you think!  This week I was the recipient of the Sunshine Award, given to me by Patti Lee.  You have to go check out her blog Creations By Patti.  She has some wonderful ideas and I can't wait to try some of them myself.  Thanks Patti! 

Now if you've signed up to be a follower of my blog I pass this on to you as you certainly bring sunshine into my life each and every time you visit!

Silver Medal Winner

I had a very pleasant surprise this morning when I opened my e-mail and saw a bunch of new comments for this card in my Splitcoast Gallery.  Of course I had to check it out and I came to find out that I had won a Virtual Silver Medal in the February Virtual Stamping Night Olympics for this Snow and Sky Challenge card.

I was going to be cheeky and say "everyone rise for the national anthem now" but I remembered they play the anthem of the gold medal winner.  Darn.  Oh well, I'll just virtually bow when you virtually applaud.  How's that!

Here's the Gallery with all the challenge winners.  Bravo to them all!