New holiday flavor! I had a hard time deciding which "flavor" I'd use, there are so many creative (and cute) layouts!! Best of all- they're free!

www.thecutestblogontheblock.com

Children's International

Meet Asmoni.

(I believe her name is pronounced "Osh-monee" - with the pronounciation help of a friend in India)

I fell in love, instantly, with her bright eyes and wide smile. What a gentle soul she appears to be!

Asmoni is 7 years old and lives in Calcutta, India - one of the poorest regions in the world. Over 4.5 million people live in the city of Calcutta.

Asmoni is sister to brothers Rohit (9 yrs old) and Rokhi (2 yrs old). Asmoni's father is a tailor, earning the family $43/month to live on. Over 60% of this income is spent solely on food. Asmoni's mother is a homemaker. The family lives in a one-room house with a wood burning stove and one wooden bed to sleep five people. The home is constructed of split cane walls, a tile roof, and mud floors. Asmoni's access to water is through a community pump and sanitary facility exists in an open field.

Asmoni is currently 3 feet 6 inches tall and weighs about 30 pounds. She does attend school and enjoys learning languages. Her favorite hobbies include playing with dolls, playing hide and seek, and drawing. She speaks Bengali.

I learned of this organization, Children's International, through research I did on the internet. Their funds support education and nutrition, primarily. While I'm not an ambassador or paid commercialist, I did want to share that I made the decision to sponsor Asmoni. I have so many more material and superficial items than she will ever see in a lifetime, and I can contribute to make one person's life better- even if only by a small fraction.

Because she is now sponsored, she has a team of doctors , teachers, and professionals who look out for her and look after her. She will receive healthcare and medicine, dental care, nutritional assistance, and educational support.

I can spare a small amount of money each month. I know that I have a comfortable bed, electricity, and food each day. I have a job that pays more than Asmoni's father ever will see. I KNOW that I am making a difference in her life, and her family's life.

I am putting together a holiday box to mail her, as well as a letter. I've already received a sponsorship kit and photograph of Asmoni (above) from the company. In a few weeks, I should receive a letter from Asmoni as well as a translated version. I look forwards to learning more about her culture and life. I look forwards to written correspondance over the years, and eventually watching her grow and develop. I look forwards to putting together special-occasion packages and mailing them to her in India. I had so much fun shopping for this little girl recently!

I am so encouraged at having this opportunity to give to someone else. To help and be a part of something positive, and that will benefit for a lifetime. Humbly, I would like to encourage you to also consider making this choice for yourself.

Truthfully? I am SO excited!!

Visit www.Children.org for more information. :)

Sick Day - Long-Anticipated Day - Open-Heart Day

Yesterday, I left work two hours early because I could feel my ears plugging up painfully. My cough also has been increasing. I went ahead and requested a substitute and called off today, as well. I normally plow forth and endure at work, even while sick, because explaining what someone would need to know to "do my job" even for just one day- often takes more time than is worth. Ugh. I called in sick because I also have needed a personal day to rest and get away from the negativity at school. (Read my last post.) I don't enjoy being sick in the least little bit, but I DO enjoy watching the daylight change with the hours as it streams through my forest-view bedroom window. The two dogs, also, are loving that I am here. Their interpretation is, "pet me all day long!" Both are sleeping at the base of my bed right now. Sweet girls.

It's been good to "be home," in the sense of enjoying time to relax, watch a movie (or 3), play on Facebook, and select a new-more-autumn-ish background for my blog. (This background actually has the title of "Lovin' Lindsey." I like its cheerful simplicity- just what I am craving in my life right now.)

Today also has been a big day for several people I "know" online:

Ebe is pregnant!! I am so happy for her and her family- I know they have wanted this for soooo long. It's been such a long and difficult road for them. Time for some happiness in their world, absolutely! I hope they find peace and comfort as they brace themselves for this exciting (and scary) adventure!! Congratulations, Ebe!! You ARE a wonderful mama!

Elle is undergoing open heart surgery as I type. So far, one of the two holes in her heart has been repaired. I don't know this family personally, but I am so encouraged by a family placing hearing aids onto a 6 month old little girl who needs them. She's a beautiful little lady, and I enjoy reading their updates and seeing photographs of little Elle wearing her hearing aids.

Dawn just celebrated her birthday. She's a real-life friend of mine from college, and she is a talented, beautiful soul. Her posts radiate her natural optimism and love of life. I wish I could see her on a regular basis, but am happy we have the wonderful world of internet at the very least. I am so proud of her! Happy birthday, dear friend!! I'd sooooo share a cup of coffee and a cupcake with you if I could! (Additional note: My aunt & uncle just accepted a job at Ventana and are moving from Tempe to Tucson in the next couple of months. We're very close to them, and I'm sooo hoping that we continue to go visit them. With that said- maybe we can actually hang out!)

Here is my favorite go-to recipe for when I feel lousy:
Ginger Honey Tea

1 Inch Piece Fresh Ginger, peeled
2 Cups Water

Juice of 1 Lemon
2 Tbsp Honey, or to taste

1. Cut the ginger into disks.

2. Bring the water and ginger to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to low and let steep for 5-10 minutes.

3. Remove ginger from water.
4. Add the lemon juice and honey to the water and stir to dissolve honey.
5. Serve the tea in your favorite mug.

I often like to make a big batch (double recipe) and refridgerate the rest. Easy to microwave & heat up for repeats! (Make sure to take the ginger root out before storing, or it will be way too spicy!)

Time for this sick girl to take a hot shower and dig out another box of Kleenex.

There was once a time that I loved to sneeze- it felt like a little bit of laughter inside, like how a "giggle" would feel, that little tickle. Now-- after sneezing so often, and painfully-- not so much!

Frustrated Rant -- You've Been Warned!!

I had hopes of posting a cheer-ier (cheery-er?) post about optimism... however...

Lately, I have been feeling pretty frustrated at work- mainly due to a great deal of difficulty with a fellow teacher(s). At night, I have had difficulty finding optimism in my train of thoughts. I also have been having difficulty with "letting go" of these particular issue which has been eating at me for two nights now. I know I am doing all that I can to document my actions (and theirs), and protect myself, as well as to let my supervisors know of the issue(s) at hand. The part that "bothers me" the most is that the kids will yet again pay the price for someone elses' incompetencies. Yet I will continue to push for what is right- the laws of special education are on my side. I just wish (so badly) that it didn't affect me inside so much; to where I'm laying here and unable to sleep for the inability to "turn it off." I know that part of this is my "personal level of expectation"- and I work very hard at this. At being forgiving of myself, as well as striving to do the very best job that I can do. I want to be an advocate for my students, their families, teachers, as well as teach all of these parties to advocate for THEMSELVES. Especially the students. It is harder to help the teachers-- esecially when they aren't willing to allow me. Especially when they refuse to allow me to support my kids despite their legal right to accommodations and modifications. It is so wrong, on so many levels. I have yet to be amazed at how many regular educators that I've worked with, that have this fabled notion-- that their classrooms should be "perfect" with no Special Ed students. That all of the SpEd kids should be in self-contained or Resource environments. Um- no- not realistic, in any way, shape, or form. There are so many students with IEPs who ARE capable and WILLING to try their hardest at regular education coursework. Sometimes they need a little bit of extra support, even some as simple as having a test read aloud to them vs. reading it silently. Some kids need to have more supervision or repetition of directions. All kids can learn- and are legally entitled to a place which doesn't restrict their learning environment. This really eats at me inside, because I know it is wrong when a teacher becomes confrontational about allowing me to provide these supports. It all becomes a frustrated mess of terminology & emotions from here on out. Never a good combination!!

Argh.

Special Education-- and ANY education is difficult enough. Why turn down assistance that is freely given and willingly offered? At no cost other than to see students succeed? Why deny a student (or group of students) the support which is clearly documented and clearly needed? On another, slightly separate note-- why complain endlessly about SpEd bringing down academic achievement scores-- if you do NOTHING to help these kiddos succeed?

How is this fair? Who pays this price? When does this mentality change? When do the walls come down, and the acceptance rise from some depth?

I have been privileged to work with some truly exceptional teachers. Many of them have not- and I believe, never will- be this difficult. Yet, I still don't understand why I see this negative treatment towards SpEd kids so often in my job- I truly don't.

Aren't we supposed to be here for THE KIDS?

End rant.

Tomorrow is another day. I am growing professional confidence and "spine" with each of these said difficulties... Just wish I could take a magical pill and get the same results. It'd sure be a lot easier!! Maybe I'd even get more sleep. Ha!

Although..... Some days, it feels as if it should be -- and I'm totally kidding:

:)

County Fair with Baby "Sha-wa"

My sister and I were the best of friends when we both were small. She is 28 months younger than I. When I was a toddler and proud of my role as a brand-new big sister, I pronounced her name (Sarah) through the side of my mouth, as "Sha-wa." I would frequently refer to her as "Baby Sha-wa." She had dark, curly hair- such a contrast to my thin, straighter-than-straight blonde hair.

We were the best of playmates- share-ers of Cabbage Patch dolls, CareBears, Crayons and bed-tents. Prime taste-testers for cookie dough and mashed potatoes, lovers of pumpkin-pie... Before we realized the unpleasant effects of having to share a bathroom... Before we were both in high school and became so easily annoyed with the other... Before every difference in our interests & personalities seemed monumental. When it was so easy to argue and get mad. It was easy to nit-pick and find faults--often having them ourselves- of course we could not admit it. Growing up, everyone always thought that she was the older sister. You can imagine how much I truly loved that. (Sarcasm.)

Now that we're adults, leading our own lives, and have found ways to accept our differences & similarities. Also now that we are actually living relatively near-by to another, and in the same town-- we've been able to create opportunities to spend time together. And gasp!! We actually enjoy each other! She's spent several months traveling overseas, living in Washington, and I lived in Goodyear & Sedona. Now we both are in Flagstaff. I'm so glad for this chapter in time that allows us to celebrate both our differences and similarities--together.

I drive past her apartment every day on my way to school. Every Friday, I leave her a "love note" from (her) YBS. I have signed my notes to her this way for years- from: "Your Big Sister." I often stick these notes underneath her windshield wipers. I even keep a box of plastic baggies in my car now that we've been getting rain on a regular basis. I often cut out cartoons or fun quotes or jokes, and glue them to these notes. I love that she knows they are from me, and that I'm saying hello. Even if we may not have had time together for a few weeks...

This weekend, we held fast to a long-time family favorite, attending the County Fair!!

I love the people-watching, the scanning-crowds-for-faces-I-know, the families enjoying their day together, couples hand-in-hand, the junior-high kids who think the fair is the next "big deal" and "coolest date ever"... The lights, the scents, the noises... The fair has always been one of my favorite memories and experiences to, well, experience!

We laughed our heads off playing the 2-ticket (often-rigged) arcade games. Our favorite has always been the squirt-water-into the clowns' mouth water gun race. We rarely ever win, but still enjoy it immensely!

Hearing the laughing kids as they ride high above the crowds.

Seeing the children wave at their families below- feeling soooooo high above the world!

Part of people-watching has always been to observe (laugh) at peoples' expressions as they enjoy the carnival rides:
Riding the Zipper...

Riding the Zipper... Around and around the track while being spun backwards, forwards, upside down, and over & over. It's my carnival favorite ride, and most certainly my biggest adrenaline rush of the day! (What could possibly be scary about flipping around and around, upside down, while inside a tiny metal cage!?) This ride also illustrates another difference in my sister & I. Here is Sarah's uncertain reaction:

Eating the several favorite fried fair foods... Curly fries smothered in liquid cheddar cheese. Kettle corn, roasted corn on the cob, Navajo tacos on fry bread, & caramel apples... Sooo unhealthy & sooo delicous-- it is pointless to try to eat healthy! Eating this way is simply part of "the experience"- fact!! (Once a year, folks!!)

Truly-- This was a wonderful day with one of my most favorite people on the planet, certainly one of those that I love so infinitely much.

I can't help but wonder about the future I'd like to have as a mother someday. I hope that if I end up with 2 children, whether they be girl & girl, or boy & girl-- that they love each other as much as I love MY sister. I consider myself incredibly lucky now-- and would consider myself the luckiest mama in the world should my children appreciate each other.

Hoping for an update-y post this weekend. Lots to share about these new chapters unfolding...

In the meantime- I am celebrating Friday!!

(Picture, instead, a teacher wearing jeans, a blouse, and dressy flats...

I don't do that male suit thing!) :)

In these last two months...

These last two months, I have been busy!!

...packing up my Sedona classroom into boxes.

...packing up my Sedona apartment & cleaning quickly & furiously. (Had 3 days to finish packing, clean, garage-sale, & vacate.)

...spending 4 glorious days floating & rafting on the San Juan River, in UT. I travelled with my parents, cousin Beth, dear friend Anneliese, as well as family friends Regina, Jeff, and Craig. We hiked, had water fights, rescued cookies that fell overboard, had mudslide drinks before 10 am, played in the mud, visited ancient Navajo cliff dwellings, played Apples-to-Apples, LAUGHED, shrieked with joy as we paddled down rapids, took silly pictures, gave the lizards in our campsite names & identities, and so many more activities. I loved the time I got to spend underneath the sun- and the wonderful people I got to travel with.

...moved said boxes from Sedona apartment to storage unit here in Flagstaff. (Yep- I moved back to Flagstaff! It's official!)

...had a wonderful, wonderful, WONDERFUL day with my dear friend Crystal and her dog Bones. They came up to Sedona to visit for the day. We had lunch at Junipine, in Oak Creek. Crystal's pregnant with her first baby and we are soooo excited for little boy Beckett to arrive! I loved her visit, and do wish that we had more time together. A welcome break from moving!

...cleaned & organized the upstairs bedroom that I am going to be occupying for about a year. We sorted through about 15 bins full of saved family photographs, childhood artwork, etc.

...unpacking & making this room feel like "home" to me again. It's certainly weird right now, and definitely an adjustment- but it's going to be good.

...going on job interviews with various schools in Flagstaff. One day consisted of 4 interviews, before 12 noon. That was not an experience I want to re-live again anytime soon.

...landing a job with Flagstaff Middle School as a Resource Special Education teacher!! I'm so excited that I get to continue working with 7th & 8th graders. Most people have told me that I'm "nuts, crazy, psycho, insane," for enjoying Middle School. There's something awkward & gawky about the age. I remember MS with such distaste at feeling so out of place socially. I tried so hard to "keep up" with my friends, and wanted so badly to fit in. I remember those years with clarity. I am excited to be working with a team of 4 teachers and an administrator with an extensive wealth of recent, valid, experienced SpEd knowledge!! Better yet, I have returned to a place that was once mine, and those beautiful Peaks that I can view from its backyard.

...spending time with my good friend Anneliese. She is like a younger sister to me. She's returned from Western Washington University, and will be continuing her path as a student at Northern Ariz Univ here in Flagstaff. I'm excited that she's back!

...helping Anneliese/Annie unpack and redecorate her room. Like myself, she also faces returning to "live at home" for budget reasons. Neither of us are that happy about it, but have found some redemption at redecoration!

...helping my mom at her job in the Sinagua High School counseling office. Lots & lots of filing spent during many, many hours inside a hot, stuffy vault. Got paid in Thai food & Starbucks though! Best of all, my mom doesn't have to worry about not being able to get it finished herself. It was a wonderful gift to give her.

...rafted down the Salt River (near Mesa/Phx, AZ) with my aunt Marian, cousin Robin, and Anneliese. We rented inter-tubes and relaxed the entire 3 hours. It was soooo much fun, and I can't wait to go on the Salt again!!

...going to Flagstaff First Friday Art Walk with Beth & Annie. SO MUCH FUN!

...seeing the new Harry Potter movie. I didn't hate the movie at all, and an amazed at how much older the trio appear to be- but do wish I'd re-read the book before going to see it. I was very confused as to the plot, and I had a particularly tough time with their British accents.

...audiology exam. My hearing hasn't improved (rather the opposite in a minor decrease) but my audiologist thinks that I'm a good candidate for a very-newly-released model of hearing aid technology. I'm really excited to see what they can do for me! My current pair is about 6 years old; it's time for a new pair with better & improved technology.

...working out. Crazily enough, I signed up to work out with a group of women 5 x week, meeting from 5:30 to 6:30 AM. Yes, AM. It's effective, fast-paced, modifiable, and motivating. We also are getting pointers on bettering our nutrition and it's already been a lot of fun. Painful, yes, but fun. I am making new friends & though I spend a lot of time physically sore, I am already feeling a lot better that I am actively pursuing some changes for something that's a weak area for me.

...attending the annual Celtic Festival here in Flagstaff. I went with Annie- we walked in the rain for hours but had a great time! We got temporary henna tattoos (I got a bracelet.)

...got myself a new pair of glasses frames (ended up with Coach frames) and also cut off 5'' of my hair off! Short hairdo & new frames surely made me feel like a brand-new girl.

...getting medical needs taken care of, catching up on dentist/eye/ear appointments that are so hard to do during the school year.

...celebrated my younger sisters' 25th birthday! I guess she isn't so "young" anymore- she used to be! What happened to the curly-headed little shadow I used to have? It was a very fun day spent with family.

...(along with the eye appt reference above)- managed to severely bruise my eye as a result of all the moving & boxing up I did in June. I don't think I have ever been through anything as weird & uncomfortable as a bruised eye. I don't mean the skin around my eye- I mean the real eye. It was solidly bright red for almost three weeks. While healing, it began to turn a yellowish color. My vision wasn't impaired at all, I could still see just fine. My eye dr. said that I burst a blood vessel in the thin layers of the eye. A skin bruise would have turned purple but an eye bruise is just blood underneath the fragile thin layers. Very weird!! I had a lot of people ask me about it. (One young man asked me, even, how badly I had hurt the other guy! lol)

...watching "Bachelorette!" I've never watched one of these kinds of series before, but I'm really enjoying this one! (Free episodes online with closed-captioning)
____________________________________________________

...concluding this post. :) I'm tired & have another 5:30 AM workout tomorrow. Saturday I'll be going hiking with Anneliese & new friend Jackie up Mt. Elden! Goodnight... sleep tight.