Great vacation week

 Life’s been busy and fantastic. The home hunting search continues. I never realized how difficult it would be to find a house.

It’s a great week to have off in NYC! The weather is beautiful and we are getting so much done.

Saturday, family are coming over for a gathering. Lee is cooking!!!! I am going to help him of course, but I love when he cooks.

 Tomorrow, Karen and I are going to pick up a new backyard set. I can’t believe how excited I am about a backyard set.   I got the striped Pottery Barn umbrella and I can’t wait to see it up.

8D

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Cesar Rodriguez

The monster who killed a little girl named Nixmary Brown was sentenced today. Rodriguez received the maximum sentence of 29 years in prison. May he rot in jail so that he can never hurt another child. RIP Nixmary.

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Happy St. Patricks Day

Happy St. Patricks Day to all who celebrate! I love this day, but will not be attending the parade this year.

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Some Amazing Things Happening Around the Web

Once in awhile, something appears on my screen and it simply amazes me.

 A few bloggers went to Uganda with an organization called Compassion. They went to see the land, have an experience and most importantly, to meet children they sponsored through Compassion.

At first, I thought the group Compassion was the same as the organization  that Sally Struthers represents. Ya know the Feed the Children commercials that appear on late night television and the camera pans past a lot of sad children starving in Africa. I’ve never thought of sponsoring a child through that organization because I wondered if the money even went to help the children or if it just went to pay for more commercials.

After reading about these amazing bloggers and their experience, I was moved. Then I saw pictures of the children and I was taken back. Shannon from Rocks in My Dryershared her experience meeting the boy she sponsors. Then  I clicked on a few links and I was Keely Scott’s blog. She posted apicture of Misn a girl in Haiti that she sponsors. Misna was wearing clothes and holding items that Keely sent her. I was so taken back that the organization would allow you to send items to the child you sponsor. I knew right away that I wanted to sponsor a child in Haiti and be able to send her some needed items. So I went to the Compassion website and picked out a cute little girl who is one of five children living with their mother.

  Her name is Olphine Deranne. The beginning of her name Olph is also the name of our church (Our Lady of Perpetual Help). Olphine is is eight years old (she’ll be 9 in September).  I look forward to hearing more about her and sending her some fun things.  Maybe one day I’ll visit Haiti and have a chance to meet her!! It’s so exciting to participate in this. So if you aren’t have a great day and want to make it better, visit Compassionand choose yourself a beautiful child to sponsor.

Thanks Shannon & Keely for sharing your experience and opening my eyes.

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Valentine’s Day

I hope everyone had a great Valentine’s Day! We did !

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Great Class today

I teach an incredible class of 8th grader students. They are so responsible and thoughtful. I really love being their teacher.

 Today, I handed back projects and the grades were very in the 90’s except for one. One of the girls received a low grade. I was surprised that her project was on the silly side and as a result she received a low grade on the rubric.

When I got home from school she had already written me an e-mail and asked to do extra work. She was so sincere and really cared about her grades. I love when the children are responsible and willing to do extra work to bring their grades up. 

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Locked Out

It’s a cold, windy day in Brooklyn. While I was at school, I saw the rain coming down. I was glad that it had stopped before dismissal. As I walked down the block, I noticed the large inflatabled teddy became unplugged and blew down the driveway. I retrieved it and called Lee to let him know we have to weigh down this inflatable so that it stays put.  

 After I spoke to Lee, I went on the computer to answer some e-mail from my students. After that, I ran downstairs to get the mail. I opened the door and it slammed shut behind me. I cringed because I had the feeling I was locked out. I walked slowly back to the door. I tried the lock and unfortunately it was locked. I looked down at my feet – just socks – no shoes.  The stoop was wet from the rain and I decided to stay in the dry spot that I was standing in and I would wait to ask a neighbor or passerby to use their phone to call Lee to bring the keys. 

 As I stood close to the door to stay warm and dry, I thought that God probably brought that opportunity to me so that I would take time to talk to Him in a quiet way. So I spoke aloud to Him and I could feel His presence. Even though I was only wearing a shirt, pants and socks, I wasn’t cold. God and jogging in place kept me at peace. Eventually a neighbor came by and I called Lee.

 I had to wait about 20 – 30 minutes for Lee to come. Again, I took advantage of the time to let God how thankful I was for locking me out and reminding to take the time to be quiet and listen to him. I was so thankful that I didn’t get very cold and of course Lee coming with the keys.

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Getting Better

I feel like I have been sick all month. I slept all weekend with the exception of seeing a great movie this weekend – Untraceable

 I slept so much this weekend. I’m just starting to feel better. Many of my students are sick with the same symptoms. I think we need to open the windows and let the air clear out the school.

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Stayed home yesterday and today

I just can’t seem to shake this cold. Even the cat is tired of me being sick. On the first two days of my illness, Herb (my cat) was glad to lay on the bed and relax with me. Now he just wants me to get better so he can get few and petted when he wants.

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Sick

I have been so sick and can’t seem to shake this cold. I don’t have the energy to type or be on the computer right now.

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Giant inflatable

My best friend, Karen gave me a great Christmas gift that I put to use today. Since I love Christmas and decorating for Christmas, she thought I would also love to decorate for Valentine’s Day. She bought me a 6 foot inflatable teddy holding a heart that says I love you. It’s huge and it makes me laugh. Brooklyn is a bit dreary now and it’s great to see a huge reminder that I am loved (by God and many) .

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Overly Greened & Failed Organic

I made up the term Overly Greened. For years, society has not recycled and in the last few years, people have decided to save the world. I’m right there with you. Except I’ve overdone being green and realize that sometimes you can overdo it.

1) I bought a compost bin from NYC when they has a special day to learn how to compost. I put together the large plastic compost bin (recycled plastic of course). I then put the bin in my yard and for several weeks we used it.

Then one day, my miniature dachshund, Reggie dug a hole and burrowed into the recycled bin to eat its contents. Finding my little dog in wet, decomposed food was not too pleasant.

I took the  compost bin apart and put it on Craigslist. More than 100 people wanted the free composting bin and book.

2)  I started recycling magazines and catalogs. Magazines I give to all my train riding friends. On their way to Manhattan each morning, they get to read my decorating, money, computer or celebrity news magazines – all for free!  I have an extra bin for newspapers and catalogs that I recycle.

3) I recycle glass and plastic containers. Yet NYC doesn’t accept all types of plastic including yogurt cups. Isn’t that crazy – no yogurt cups?

EDIT: 8/2008  Brooklyn Food Coop now accepts the containers.

3) I love paper plates and I am sorry to say this – decorated thick paper party plates. I can’t let them go yet because no one has made a better product. Hurry up people make some Fourth of July soybean paper plates. :)

I love paper towels and I don’t think I could give them up. If I use rags, I will have to wash them in the washing machine and that is just running electricity and hurting the environment more.

I use plastic garbage bags. I don’t love them, but I use them.

4) I decided to go to a more organic cleaner for the kitchen and bathroom. I bought two different brands. Greenworks is okay in the kitchen, but then later I learned it wasn’t entirely green because of the way it works. I also bought another cleaner for the bathroom and it didn’t work well enough for us to use in the bathroom.

5) My first organic fruit was an organic banana. Then I found out that there is no reason to buy organic bananas because we peel the skin anyway. Oop!

I tried to make my own laundry detergent, but I was allergic to the powder that went into it and I had a huge rash.

So you see Being Green doesn’t really work for me. Maybe I am more of a sunny yellow then a bright natural green.

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