It’s hard to be a teacher somedays.

I really love my job as a middle school teacher. Yet, there are days which overwhelm me. School hasn’t even started yet and one of my old students wrote to me about the trouble her family is going through. This girl has had so much turmoil in her life and deserves to just be a kid. Some days I wish I could just open my home and take in all of the kids who are having problems.

I try not to speak about my students on my blog. Their lives are personal and I wouldn’t want them to feel betrayed by writing about them here. Today, her problem became mine. I had such bad pains in my stomach after speaking to her. It’s hard for me to hear such bad news and not be able to do anything except listen. My student is Buddhist so it’s hard to bring religion into the discussion. I do share my own experiences with her, but I think she has experienced a lot more troubles.

So I’m praying for my student tonight and if you happen to be reading this and have a moment, please pray for her to have strength to get through this troubling time. And pray that I might say the right words to these young people so they know that they are loved and valuable.

Topics: Brooklyn | 3 Comments »

A trip to Long Island

We went for a day trip to Long Island yesterday. We left at 7:30 AM and drove to the Tanger Outlet in Riverhead, NY. The Williams Sonoma store was having a good sale (40% off) and I had a gift card from Christmas. So I got this Le Creuset dutch oven in Lemongrass. It’s so pretty. Cost: 34.99 – 60% off (-20.99) = total cost $14.00 paid for by Gift card – woohoo!

I also got some two shirts and two pants for school (1 week and 1 day away). My friend, Karen bought some amazing shoes (2 pairs for $40).

When I go out to Long Island, I like to stop at my Aunt and Uncle’s grave and bring some flowers. The sun beamed on me as I planted gerber daisys. My uncle taught me all about plants

Bittersweet moment: We passed my Aunt and Uncle’s house. It had a for sale sign and the realty agent was showing it to a prospective buyer. I *wished* I was the person being shown the house. I had so many sweet memories at their home.

Karen and I ate ate steamed mussels for lunch at this little shop with picnic tables. They served us steamed mussels in a bucket (like a small chicken bucket) and sweet potato fries. The mussel came with a side of hot olive oil which was amazing.

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Halloween Brooklyn Style

Ok so maybe the summer heat has finally got to me. But I think a few of you girls on the web got me thinking about Halloween with your thoughts and pics of Halloween crafts. If you love Halloween like I do, then you know that now is just about the time to start thinking about it (Thanksgiving and Christmas too).

Anyway, Noble Pig’s secret shopping trip made me think about Halloween this afternoon. This summer a friend pointed out that Google Maps picked up that I was a Halloween fantastic. These pics are how my house looks on Google maps. My neighbors don’t decorate because a lot of people in Brooklyn don’t like Halloween, but I love it. When I was a kid, all of the neighbors decorated and had candy for the kids.

Some people doubted that was my home. So here you will see my dogwas even ready for Halloween!

There’s more Halloween Ideas here. Cool Fall thoughts to you all!

Topics: Brooklyn | 6 Comments »

Brooklyn Housing Market Falls!

If you look at the houses on the market in Brooklyn, on average they have fallen $100,000 this summer. Another fall is coming this Fall. Bye bye million dollar Bay Ridge and Park Slope homes. The interest rate is at 6.43% so home prices had to fall.

Thought for today: He will yet fill your mouth with laughing, and your lips with rejoicing. (Job 8:21) AMEN!

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Pottery Barn has competition

 1/2/10 Update: New Post: More Pottery Barn Competition here

I really love Pottery Barn. I especially love getting a deal on a great piece at Pottery Barn. But today, I think I found a new store to oogle over. I received the Viva Terra catalog in the mail today. I’ve never heard of the store before, but not only are the items in Viva Terra beautiful, but they are also earth friendly! At the bottom right you can request your own Viva Terra catalog so you can drool on your own copy.

 

Olive contour dinnerware – I could look at them all day

Leaf plates – these servers would look great on my table.Ceramic Lace Horse – I am allergic to horses, but this these are so cute (and hairless)

Spa River Mat – it’s so peaceful looking

Pottery Barn, I still love you….just not as much as before.

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RIP Ginelis Jimenez

A three year old girl was killed by father today in Brooklyn. RIP baby girl.The father, 25-year-old Michael Jimenez, is charged with murder, manslaughter, assault and endangering the welfare of a child. The mother, 23-year-old Kimberly Centos, is charged with two counts of endangering the welfare of a child for not helping the child when she saw abuse. I am going to pray tonight. I know we should pray for Kimberly, but I think I am going to find it very hard to pray for a woman who allowed a child to be hurt. So I think I will pray that her mental illness goes away.

Her younger brother who they found adult bite marks on.

How is it that children who have been physically abused are not removed from their parents care? NYC needs reforms because children keep dying at the hands of their parents Kyle Smith, Nixzmary Brown, Lisa Steinberg……….the list just keeps continuing.

Picture: Daily News It’s 8/16, a day after the murder and there is just one cell phone picture of this little girl.

Topics: Brooklyn | No Comments »

~ Thankful Thursday ~

I have so much to be thankful for this week.

1. I have had an amazing summer. I’m thankful that my family is happy and healthy.

2. I started reading the Bible this summer and it has been amazing journey. I had no idea that the Bible was full of so many of life’s answers.  I’m thankful that God has continuously pursued me all of these years.

3. The Olympics have been wonderful. It’s amazing to see representatives from all different nations together, getting along and enjoying the competition. Everytime I hear the American national anthem I smile. I also love seeing the athletes beaming with pride when they are getting metals. It’s nice to see someone’s dream come true.   

4. My best friend, Karen was recently laid off (Friday was her last day). I’m thankful that she was given a good package deal and she doesn’t have money worries right now. I’m proud of how hard she is working to seek out a new position. Even though she could live comfortably for months, she would really like to start working soon and keep the money in savings. Please pray that she finds a wonderful job that she loves. Karen is one of the kindest people I know. 

For more participants of Thankful Thursday, do visit Iris at Sting My Heart. It will be a very blessed and spiritually uplifting experience for you!

Topics: Uncategorized | 7 Comments »

Wordless Wednesday ~ I wish I was here!

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Who wouldn’t want to compost with this cute compost bin?

I had some bad experience composting years ago. Yet, this bin is sooooo cute! Maybe I would consider it. But then again I think no because I am not cool like Julia Roberts and I don’t want bugs in there eating the compost.

Topics: Uncategorized | 4 Comments »

Russia Invades Georgia

Russia invade Georgia and we have to hear about all of the details of the affair that former presidential candidate, John Edwards had. That’s our big news here.

Not much coverage about the Russian invasion. Russia believed that Georgia was going to attack Abkhazi, a land that Georgia lost in the 1990’s. So Russia believes they have to defend their land.

Where is their leaders (and ours)? Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and President Bush are in Beijing at the Olympics of course! So when will the United Nations step in? When it’s too late of course. When one Georgian citizen befriends a disgruntled Russian military contact who will show him where to set off a bomb in Moscow – that’s when the UN will react.

1,600 people are dead in Georgia

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The French are funny

Feel the peace before you step on this scale and see your weight.  French scale

Why aren’t our scales as fun?

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Brooklyn – I haven’t given up on you yet

I am looking to buy a home in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. It’s beautiful and so are the surrounding areas of Dyker Heights & Bensonhurst  Yet, prices haven’t fallen here like they did everywhere else. Realtors in Bay Ridge are trying to keep the prices high, but homes aren’t selling like they used to because the same inventory is still available. Owners are going to have to give a bit with the price of their homes because interest rates have risen.

A lot of Brooklynites have sold their homes and moved to Staten Island. I’m not ready to give up on Brooklyn yet.

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