Starting to get a teeny, bit ready

I started thinking about the new school year today. Although I've been working part-time doing some odds and ends, I officially start back on August 10th (a week earlier than many other schools in this district), because I work at a school that is considered a "turnaround" school. It is one that has made a grade of F, as measured by the FCAT, or whose school performance has dropped dramatically in one or more targeted areas during the previous year. Mine is also an inner city school.

I love my job - and actually decided to transfer to this school from a very high-performing school. I believe in the vision of our principal and that our students have real needs. I spend long hours and weekends with my fellow teachers and the students in order to create a culture of family and learning. I truly believe that they are the ones who will be able to rise above many of the obstacles that their parents and grandparents have been unable to and that we are there to help them, guide them and teach them through this process.

I am humbled, everyday, when I walk through the doors of my school.

Is it hard work? You betcha! Do I have days that I wonder if I was in my right mind to make the transfer? Many evenings, when I miss time with my family and friends. But I am constantly reminded of this particular Bible verse:

Colossians 3:23

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

It just reaffirms me, everyday.

New Beds for Puppies!!

We think our doxies are the sweetest puppies in the world!



But they definitely need a new bed. They've been sleeping at the foot of our bed, on an old comforter, for weeks. Actually since I washed their bed cover in hot water and it shrunk. I mean terribly - so that it wouldn't fit on their big, shared pillow anymore :( Sorry sweeties.

So, I looked around and decided to order them each a bed from Chilly Dog! They look so comfy.



And dachshunds are known for burrowing, so these should be perfect! We ordered two - navy and dark brown. I'll post some pics of our little ones and their new beds when they arrive!

Comments on Latisse??

I'm going to start using Latisse next week. Any thoughts? My lashes are o.k., nothing fab and several of my friends have used Latisse with good results. I'm a little iffy about the application process, but I'm usually a guinea pig for anything. I've done IPL on a couple of sun spots and laser on a spider vein on my face. However, I've drawn the line, so far, at Botox and Juvaderm/Restylene, etc. I don't know - I've seen good and BAD results with those things... I think that I'll stick to the Latisse.

Here's a Great Giveaway!

Ready for a great giveaway? Go to My Blonde Reality and sign up for her giveaway to celebrate 300 followers. Shasta is giving away:







I use Elastiderm already and LOVE it!! It's fab for ladies 40 and over (not that I'm giving away my age...Ever...)

Got Some Med News

So, I've told everyone about my daughter's struggle with her blood disorder and Ehlers-Danlos. We went to Nemours on Friday to see a geneticist in an effort to put some of the pieces of the puzzle together. We found out the following:

1. She doesn't have classic Ehlers-Danlos, but does have an undefined connective tissue disorder
2. She needs to be evaluated by a cardiologist, an opthalmologist and an infectious disease specialist to see if this disorder has targeted other areas of her body (other than her knees)
3. She will continue to have bleeds in her knee until she is able to have the allograft, which will stabilize the sublaxation.
4. As a result of these bleeds, she will need to be hospitalized in order to receive DDAVP and Factor VIII so that the tissue will absorb the blood. She will receive 4 infusions - one every 12 hours; probably every 2 weeks, until she has the allograft.
5. Lastly, she cannot have the allograft until the necrotic tissue that she has, on top of her knee, heals. It is kind of yucky, so I won't post a pic. However, the docs are considering a hyperbaric oxygen chamber to speed up healing.

So, this is our life right now. We thank God, everyday, that she is still so upbeat and in good spirits. She never complains or whines about her condition. She is full of faith for God and continues to encourage us. Please continue to pray for her as we push forward on this journey.

Great Fourth!

We had a great fourth of July weekend. Hubs and I spent most of the fourth at St. Augustine beach with some friends. That evening, our neighborhood had a block party and lit our own fireworks. Two of our neighbors had gotten together and bought some BIG daddy fireworks - our finale actually summoned a police officer who told us to finish it up... We had about 20 families and lots of good food.

On Sunday, we visited with my hub's daughter, her husband and our grandson. Isn't he adorable now? They live at Jax Beach, and we took him on the beach for a few minutes. He cooed when we put his feet in the water! The simple pleasures in life. Hope your fourth was wonderful and truly made you appreciate our freedoms here in the U.S., as it did all of us!