See this??... {I searched for a photo credit but came up short. Message me if you know the source of this photo so I can give credit where credit is due!} This is where I would live in the summer if it weren't for current desert conditions (were in a serious drought *again* here people, pray for us!), and if I had a staff the size of Downton Abbey's to cook the meals and brush my hair and change the diapers. "Lazy days of summer" is an idyllic term at best for farmers and their families. April to October is our busiest season, which is why I don't homeschool in the summer (unless you call reading every day, practicing the piano and mastering math drills on the computer "school"). Despite the intensity of the work around here, I do appreciate, so very much, the long days of sunlight and the break from the classroom, because it affords me more opportunities to read for enjoyment vs. reading for research sake or for the kids' sake. I think it's of great value for our children to see us read in our spare time, to choose literature as our leisure. I'm witnessing the fruits of this decision in my oldest children, especially, who rarely ask if they can watch television. When the chores are completed, if not playing or practicing a sport, they can often be found reading, and they all ask if they can stay up and read at night - even Charlie can't fall asleep without a heap of books in his crib! This is a great joy for me! {Flannery O'Connor's collected works} Do you ever find that certain genres of art, literature or music seem to pop up in your daily life, sometimes repetitively, and that repetition leads you down a path of interest in the art? In my college days, I read a little bit of Flannery O'Connor, but at the time I was more interested in her biographical life as a Southern Catholic. Because her name has come up in conversation a couple of times recently and quotes from O'Connor have floated across my Pinterest page, I took it as a sign and purchased her Collected Works to add to our home library. I may not have a dream porch to perch on, but you can be sure that any "free" moment this summer will be spent engrossed in Flannery's talents. Eighty pages into Wise Blood and I'm hooked. What are you reading now?? Feel free to share! I'd love to hear about your current literary passion!

I Found My Happy Place

I wasn’t going to write this post. I’ve always been very private with some aspects of my life. I have never talked bad about my place of employment and will continue to honor that....Even as Wednesday is my last day after 18 years in management for an organization!! Yep, you read right, I turned in my resignation 2 weeks ago and it feels sooooo Good! I could’ve titled this post “The Happiest Day of My Life,” but I’ll refrain a tad as of course there have been many happier days but guys, I’M FREAKIN EXCITED! However, ever since my excitement over leaving my job, a dark cloud arose along with a heavy sadness in my heart because I saw people’s true colors. Yes, the majority I told or found out we’re so sweet and congratulatory, and I know had nothing but well wishes and good in their hearts. These are the tried and true, that as our colleague population grew to 2,000, they were the ones who'd been there forever and had nothing but well wishes. However, there were a few that broke my heart or lack of heart I might say. Are you ready for this? I literally had one colleague who called me a loser for leaving the organization. Hello? If it makes me a loser for wanting to be happy in life then I will wear the biggest "L" on my forehead I can find! My sweet friend Kellyann found this last week on here calendar and it really resonated with me too. LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE!! People thought Oh she's resigning to blog more. Well, no, I already blog full time and yes, while I wish I knew how to make really good money and not just a little spending money from it, I'll admit I don't know how, so it'll stay a hobby and fun way to socialize with cool peeps such as yourselves. Like I said, I am a very private person so I decided not to divulge what I am doing in the next chapter. I know that helping people, not hurting them is in my DNA so I will be trying to spread smiles and make hearts happy. And I can tell you this Queenism came to life.... My dear friend and blogger Sierra from Beautifully Candid recently wrote a letter to herself entitled Dear Me. I’m going to quote some of the things she said because the words are so fitting for me with what is happening at this time in my life. She says “You were always taught to be kind and show love even when others don't. Some people have a hard time with seeing others happy—that's their fault, not yours. Let it go. Pray for them, and continue to invest your time in those that value your friendship, because you know those that are truly by your side have and always will be there for you.” Why oh why do people not rejoice when others are happy? I get plum giddy when a loved one or friend has something awesome happen in their lives. I truly am a person who gets excited about the little things in life. Sierra goes on to say “It's ok to get excited. There is nothing wrong with celebrating the small things. If you want to throw a breakfast party for no other reason than it being a Saturday, do it.” And then this bit of advice truly hit home “Let go of what others think. Don't hold back on sharing things if it's something that makes you happy. The sad part about putting yourself out there is others who can't relate tend to think you are doing things for show, even if you've always been that way but you just share more of it now. Keep doing what makes you happy.” Here I was in a job that was never even meant to be my career, how did 18 years go by of NOT doing what I wanted to do? It was not what I went to school for, never in my dreams, it just came along at a time it was needed and that was a good thing...just a lil too long and when the happiness faded....I needed to too! Below are some pictures of work in happier times, when I was on a social committee and we had a budget to throw awesome parties for our colleges. This was my favorite Holiday Tea where we coordinated aqua, silver and white, had amazing appetizers and gave away over 200 raffle prizes. Yep, you'll see my mama in this picture too, also on the committee..great group! and my first awards banquet...2001 The Devil is the thief of joy. He manifests himself in your surroundings, never, ever let him. Be grateful for the gifts God has given you and embrace each day as a treasure! Emily Bronte is a favorite author of mine and I think her quote rings true. As time moves on, life grows sweeter. Thank you for letting me vent. I am not going to let the untrue bring down my excitement for this new chapter in my life. And I have to give a BIG shout out to my man for working hard so I could banish my stress and live out my dreams. See, I wasn't going to write it because I was going to let it just be another chapter, one ending and one beginning in my book of life but after reading 13 Signs It's Time to Quit Your Job, and seeing what transpired because I just wanted to be happy, I decided I needed, wanted to tell a little about this point in my life because most of you get it! And I adore you for understanding. Be Back tomorrow for Tasty Tuesday with a scrumptious comfort food dish sure to please the masses...I think! LINKING-UP with Biana // Totally Terrific Tuesday // Inspire Me Monday // Inspire Me Tuesday // Lou Lou Girls Fabulous Party // Creative Monday's // Creative Muster Party // Wow Us Wednesdays // Wonderful Wednesday's Blog Hop // Feathered Nest Friday // Metamorphosis Monday // The Scoop xoxo The Hills are alive...yes, they are!!!

A big salute to everyone who’s embarking on NaNoWriMo today. Woohoo! :::::

Source for word: Dictionary.Com

These tips are especially useful for INFJs, INFPs, and highly sensitive people—but just about anyone could use them! Click here to read the original

A discussion focused on best practices and tips for getting more Hub followers and page views.

Here's a list of satisfyingly descriptive, amusing and sometimes bafflingly unnecessary words from the old times that you can impress your mates with. Enjoy!

Here are 50 small ways you can help make the world a better place. This isn't an exhaustive list but highlights ideas everyone can take part in.

There, their, and they're sound similar but their meanings are different. 'Their' is for possession, 'there' is a place, and 'they're' is short for 'they are.'

first grade teacher blog