Sugar Makes it Better

#25daysofgiving

2013-12-01T14:09:00.001-08:00

#25daysofgiving

I plan to celebrate the season by #payingitforward in some way each day through a gift: tangible or intangible. Who's going to join me?

Please feel free to share your experiences in the comment section via username or anonymously: purposefully random gifting or receiving a random gift. Share on twitter or FB as well. Be the pebble that starts the ripple.

#bethegood #leadbyexample #25daysofgiving #creatinggoodhabits

Update:

#makingspiritsbright

The more cognizant I have been of #beingthegood and finding ways to make others feel special, the more opportunities I have seen! A HUGE thank you to the dozens of people who have given me suggestions. You guys have inspired me to give back for my birthday. #41randomactsofkindness

For those who are looking to join in, I'm listing several ideas below (most of these ideas are from creatively kind friends 😊):

No-cost or Low-cost:

* Card or small treat for family member, co-worker, friend, public servant (mailman, policeman, fireman, nurse, teacher, 911 operator, etc...you get the picture), stranger

* Open a door for someone

* Give a compliment

* Take/send a treat to a hospital, nursing home, cancer center, soldiers, 911 center, fire/police dept

* Invite someone to dinner

* Let one (heck...let TWO) people out in traffic or in line

* Make a crockpot lunch for your coworkers

* Place coins in someone else's meter

* Pay-it-forward @ Starbucks or any other fast food drivethru

* Fill grocery store candy/toy dispensers with quarters

* Help neighbor with a chore

* Donate blood

* Call/email/tweet/FB a family member or friend telling them WHY they are important to you

*Donate books to a library, school, or

senior center

* Pick up trash on your road. Be careful!

* Grab some friends & go caroling

* Volunteer somewhere (a local community theater, nursing home, school, animal shelter, homeless shelter)

There are dozens more, some costing more than others. My hope is that this inspires you. Now, don't be bashful. Get out there & #bethegood. I promise, you'll love it! ❤️

Time Flies

2012-05-24T15:34:00.003-07:00

As I sat at my 5th grader's graduation today, I was reminded of how fast time flies. I remember his little diapered bottom and bare feet running down the nearly empty halls of the elementary school where I taught. I could almost hear the custodians chuckle because he's found his way into the bathroom (where, admittedly, the acoustics are phenomenal) and he's belting out "Little Green Frog".

I watched him walk in the assembly with his classmates- tall, quiet. All those memories, flooding back, are of a much younger, louder, rowdy child. Those days are gone, he has embraced his role as a 'tween-ager, acknowledging us in a cool, aloof manner (in public). My baby is growing up.

Happy, merry graduation, young man. You have made me proud this year. You have stood up for your rights, defended your position, and handled yourself with grace when presented with some difficult situations. It is my hope that you also gleaned some important knowledge about people, reactions, and interactions.

I hope as you mature, you'll remember these few pieces of advice:

Everybody has a story that shapes their perception of the world. Be mindful of not only your own.
Stand up for what you believe.
Remember to temper your words with respect.
A filter can make all the difference.
Did I mention: A filter can make ALL the difference. ;)

I speak from experience.

I love you.
xoxo

Mom

Warrior Dash and Butterflies: What do they have in common?

2012-05-19T15:50:00.000-07:00

warriordash.com

Well, I got myself into this...Connor saw the commercial on FB for the Warrior Dash a few years ago. He looked it up and noticed that he had to be 14 to sign up for the race. Well, guess what? He's 14 now.

I have no fear of running the 5K portion of the race. I'm not even worried about the mud. I like mud...as long as I'm not eating it, but I'm having extreme anxiety about completing all the challenges on the course.

I have thought of a dozen reasons why I shouldn't run:
12. My children were sick this week. Suppose my immune system has been compromised. Do I really want to subject all those runners to illness?
11. I don't have any old tennis shoes, and I don't want my new ones muddy.
10. I might break a bone. I'm awfully good at breaking bones....
9. I don't have any of that awesome blue wode that a real warrior would use to look fierce.
8. I'll have to get up early to drive the 1.75 hours to get to the race.
7. I'll be extremely tired after driving 1.75 hours to get to the race.
6. I've never run a 5K before...Oh, wait...I have, nevermind...moving on...
5. I don't know how to fix my hair like a warrior AND I need to have my hair colored. I know I read there would be pictures taken.
4. It might be hot.
3. I don't know what the obstacles look like. I'm not a big fan of the unknown....What if there are zombies?
2. I forgot to take a vitamin two days ago?
...BUT the REAL reason that I'm nervous about this race...
1. What if I can't do it? What if I embarrass my son?

After I finally got to the root of my worry...I thought about the many, many times I have embarrassed him, and the opportunities will continue to present themselves, right?!?

So, out the door: hair braided, shoes laced, towels and extra clothes packed. I'm ready to get my warrior on. Thanks for the push, C...You don't even know how much you inspire your mama!

RIP, Mr. Sendak.

2012-05-08T18:46:00.003-07:00

RIP, Mr. Sendak.

You have inspired countless roaring of terrible roars, gnashing of terrible teeth, rolling of terrible eyes, and showing of terrible claws. You have indeed mesmerized us with your magic trick of telling stories, and I, along with thousands of Wild Things, treasure your memory. As Max would say, 'Be still.' xoxo

Click on link to see Sendak Slideshow - published by and linked from NY Times

As far as freebies go....

2012-01-29T12:55:00.000-08:00

Okay, y'all....
I'm thinking of jumping into a craft show soon with my soon-to-be-open Little Sugar Boutique. (I know I keep rolling back the opening, but life keeps getting in the way. I promise I'm making progress and it won't be long.)

One of the stipulations in the vendor application is that a freebie should be given away at one's booth.
Two things:
1. I <3 freebies.
2. I have quirky tastes so I'm asking in all sincerity for some honest opinions.

Here's where I could use your help. :) Would you rather get a cute little button magnet as a freebie? a little hair tie? or a bottle cap magnet?

I'm open to suggestions too. Remember, I'm a 'newb' as Connor would say. lol!

Thanks!

Team Ashley: Auction Benefiting Ashley

2012-01-25T17:03:00.000-08:00

Earlier this week, I mentioned a blog that I follow religiously- Lil Blue Boo. The author is a mom, a wife, an amazingly creative DIYer, and a business owner of a handmade clothing line- Lil Blue Boo. Ashley is in the midst of a fight against a nasty cancer (Choriocarcinoma) caused by a molar pregnancy. This discovery came after the heartbreak of her dad's untimely death and a subsequent miscarriage. While looking through her dad's things, Ashley found a slip of paper that read "choose joy." This is exactly what Ashley has done, and she encourages her friends and acquaintences to do the same.

Ashley has been through a great deal in the last few months: loss of her father, miscarriage, heartache, discovery of cancer, surgery in which she began hemorrhaging and had to have a hysterectomy, and the realization that this cancer is chemo-resistant. Through all of this, Ashley continues to 'Choose Joy'. She starts a new round of über-aggressive chemo tomorrow and is researching alternate treatments. My heart goes out to her as I'm certain this must be a financial strain. Friends of Ashley have formed Team Ashley. :) On February 27-29 Team Ashley will host an auction benefiting Ashley & her family. I'll post more info as it becomes available.
*See the button posted to the side. :) It links to a PayPal account for Ashley as well. Any donation big or small will help.

***From evystree.com - Interested in donating an item to the auction? Please contact, Wendy, Team Ashley’s head of donations: rickandwendy639@sbcglobal.net. This auction has been approved by Ashley Hackshaw, Lisa Walker and the rest of the Lil Blue Boo team and is the official donation/auction deemed to raise funds for the Hackshaw family.

As always, choosing joy...

Peace,
Ginger

2012-01-24T03:37:00.000-08:00

via feministdisney.tumblr.com

I read this first thing this morning (of course I was perusing Pinterest...shamelessly.) What a great thought! We see so many idealistic images portrayed by the popular media that it is nice to be reminded that beauty should have a very individual definition.

As I think about my own definition of beauty, I know that health and happiness go a long way. It's not about what color my hair is, how many tattoos I sport...it's how I feel. When I feel good about me and seek to see the beauty in everything and everyONE, that's when I exude beauty, confidence, sexiness...Watch out!

I look forward to reading a Little Blue Boo's Ashley's blog each day. She's an inspiring, amazing, beautiful woman fighting cancer. Ashley finds beauty in everyday life, defines her own sense of it...LOVE her! In fact, I must share a link to her latest rite of passage - shaving her head.

LBB Right of Passage Video

What's your definition of beauty? Share it. I'd love to hear it....Now go out there and BE BEAUTIFUL! BE CONFIDENT! BE SEXY! :)

Semantics of the Holiday Season

2011-11-26T15:46:00.000-08:00

When did it become such a source of dissonance to say 'Happy Holidays'? My mom corrects me by saying, "You mean, 'Merry Christmas'?" I think to myself <please know that it is a daily struggle not to be sassy...even at my age>, "Well, yes, I mean 'Happy Holidays', 'Merry Christmas, 'Have a great day', or whatever the person to whom I am imparting a blessing may perceive...because that it what it is in essence, a blessing. We each bring different experiences or backgrounds which shape our individual current states of mind. So if someone says 'Happy Holidays' to you, just accept it. They may be coming from a different place than you...and if you want to say Merry Christmas, I won't correct you because I know what you mean. ;)

*Just a note...I love you, Mom. ;) I know what you mean when you say that I should say "Merry Christmas", and I respect the belief. So to you, "A very Merry Christmas!" <3 , Me

Santa Claus is Coming to Town ***Censored (for Children)

2011-11-26T11:00:00.000-08:00

Santa was WHERE?

If your children are at the age where they are beginning to question the magic of Christmas and, like me, as a parent you want to hold on to that innocence for just one more year, you may want to try these sites.

(Click the hyperlinks below to go to the sites.)

Insert Santa into a picture of your decorated living room.

This site allows you to upload a picture of your decorated living room. You then choose a Santa to superimpose in your pic. It's extremely easy and has a cost of three pictures at $9.95.

Insert a 'live' Santa into a picture of your decorated home to create a video.

This site has an excellent tutorial on how to upload a photo, choose a Santa, add music, and edit. The digital video will be sent to your email quickly so that you can view & share it. The cost for the service is $14.95.

My personal favorite: DIY

Due to budget constraints, there is no hyperlink for this choice. lol! I plan to take a picture of my decorated living room. It will be later this month because I like to have a real tree, but I hate the plethora of needles that don the floor by the 'big day'. Again, I digress...Next, I will find the perfect picture of Santa, cut it out, and scan it on the picture of my living room. I can print the picture here at home for only the cost of ink and photo paper, send the photo to Walgreens/CVS and pick it up for $2...or my personal favorite, I'll upload the final pic to my iPhotoStream for FREE. I can just show the boys the picture directly from my phone.

Embracing Thankfulness

2011-11-25T17:08:00.001-08:00

As my focus turns from Thanksgiving to Christmas, it becomes more difficult to dwell on all the things for which I am thankful. I can feel the urgency of commercialism nipping at my heels on this Black Friday. With that in mind, this season I am committing to write one thing a day for which I am thankful. I'll post weekly so I don't clog the blog. lol! Now...how am I going to organize the list. Man, I <3 lists!
Week 1- Family (immediate gets their own day: Mr. Sugar, Teen Sugar, and Pre-nager Sugar, then parents, sibling, nieces/nephews)
Week 2- Friends (several a day)
Week 3- Hobbies, Job (fellow teachers, students)
Week 4- Community

Feel free to leave comments about the things for which you are thankful. (Thankfulness breeds thankfulness.) :)

Making Time to Blog...

2011-11-22T09:39:00.000-08:00

So many ideas, so little time. Wow! Isn't that the truth?!?

Have you ever had so much to say, but there is one pressing inconsequential thought that you want to share? All the other details fall to the background because, well, you've already lived them, chalked them up to experience. You know you won't forget them, but this thought might just leave your brain like hot butter. This is, indeed, one of those moments... So, before I forget...I want to share a great idea that I saw online a few months ago. Pinterest reminded me of it just now!

Those of you who use iPhones and are regular photography hounds, listen up! Stickygram is an amazing site to make magnets from your iPhotos. You just upload 9 photos, pay your $14.99 (free s/h), and Stickygram sends you your masterpieces.

pic from Stickygram.com

I'll be posting a DIY for similar photo magnets for those of you who are crafty.

Whenever I write/say the word crafty, why, oh why, must I always follow it with the riff from the Beastie Boys? ♫♪♪♫ She's crafty. She's just my type! ♪♫♪♪♫

Have You Thanked a Veteran Today?

2011-11-11T16:00:00.000-08:00

Today I sat in an auditorium and listened as elementary school students shared patriotic poems, essays, and songs thanking veterans for their service. I had a tear roll down my cheek as my 'Little Sugar' sang a solo in a clear, loud, precious voice. So proud!

Veteran's Day has always been a holiday that I have celebrated, but this year, the day took on a much deeper meaning. My incredible husband, 'Mr. Sugar', is a retired Air Force veteran who served our great country. His time has helped define the man he is today, and for that, I am grateful.
So...to him and to all of our current servicemen and veterans, a huge THANK YOU!

Every year my students make cards for the patients at the VA hospital and for friends who are deployed. This happens to be my favorite of all time. Please forgive the phonetic spelling...

Re-living My Youth While Feeling My Age the Following Morning

2011-11-08T06:00:00.000-08:00

Chris surprised me with tickets to see the Foo Fighters at Gwinnett Arena. He was shocked to learn that I had never seen Dave Grohl in concert. This relationship has held a lot of 'firsts' for me. :) (For those of you who do not know my fabulous husband, he is an amazing mix of skater, veteran, electrician, and aficionado of all things musical. He's an amazing musician to boot! Yep, I'm a lucky girl, but I digress....I'll save the story for how we met for another entry.)

The opening bands rocked out. I had never heard of The Joy Formidable, but I couldn't be happier that we got to the Arena early. This Brit and her band ROCKED. She made me wish I had stuck with the guitar when I was a youngster. I've already downloaded their album from iTunes.
**One of The Joy Formidable's songs is on one of the Twilight soundtracks...just a fun-fact. :)

Social Distortion followed The Joy Formidable and of course, they rocked their set as well- old school. And now... back to the Foo Fighters- Dave Grohl ran around like a 20-year-old, but played guitar like a man who has played every night for the last 20 years...Oh, yeah, that's because he has played nearly every night for longer than 20 years. Our seats were directly behind the band...TOTALLY COOL! It felt as if we were absorbing all of the energy that the crowd was throwing to the band. Hours of great energy...hours of great music! Thank you, CR, for a wonderfully rowdy evening. Sweeeeet!

At the end of the night, I found myself being a little jealous of Mr. Grohl. Not because he has a million fans, not because he is ridiculously rich...I was jealous because Dave had the option of sleeping in this morning while I had to go to work. Of course, tonight I am kicking myself for promising to attend a girlfriend's spin class. I'm sure I can sneak in a nap sometime, right?

It's All About Partnership, Attitude, and Expectations

2011-09-09T17:36:00.000-07:00

Partnerships, attitudes, and expectations between teachers, students, and parents are a huge part of a child's education. Parents and teachers who understand this dynamic have the most meaningful relationships from which the children benefit.

I do what I love and love what I do. So do most of my colleagues. The teachers with whom I have had the privilege to work are so passionate about the education of their students. These women and men are well-educated professionals who are trained to teach. Their tireless efforts are inspiring. I am forever indebted to each colleague for helping to shape my pedagogy and inspiring me to greet each challenge with an open mind and empathetic heart.

We, as teachers, understand that learning is a process and not all children learn at the same rate. One of my colleagues told me years ago while we were discussing my own child, "You can't push a river." She was right. My son learned what he needed at his own rate with his teacher's support and my support. There was no room for excuses. When my child's teacher lets me know that my child is struggling, it would never cross my mind to ask the teacher why he or she isn't doing enough to teach my child. It is my job to figure out how I can offer additional support.

Somewhere in the mix, parents have forgotten that teachers are trained professionals who are entering into a partnership with them. I am fortunate that the parents of my students understand that I have their child's best interest at heart. May it be so for us all...

Ron Clark's CNN Article What Teachers Want to Tell Parents

Round 2: Parent - Teacher Response

A Vision of K-12 Students Today

2011-01-22T13:24:00.000-08:00

Well, look who's blogging?

2011-01-22T13:05:00.000-08:00

It's about time, I'd say. I need a place to store my thoughts and memories besides my head. Before you chuckle out a witty comment, and since my friends are the only ones reading this....(and of course, Chris and my mom...Thanks! I love you both!), I'll just say that my brain gets so crowded with all the wonderful, silly, annoying, and educational bits that I need a place to store them so I can rest well at night. At least I'll know where to find that thoughtful thing-a-majig when I need it, right?

From time to time, I'll be sharing some posts with my little students. So in honor of their innocence, please keep your comments as clean as a whistle. Thanks a bunch...with sugar on top!