D is for Divas for Davis

On April 28, 2012 the Plantation Park Divas for Davis team will be walking to raise awareness and money to battle against premature births.  Little Davis and his family are the Ambassador Family for the Northwest LA March of Dimes this year.  Davis was born at 26 weeks and weighed just 1 lb. 10 oz. Although Davis was born very sick, he is now a healthy toddler.  The March of Dimes helped make this possible.

The Divas for Davis team will wear our purple shirts tomorrow at work as we get ready for this important event.  We proudly support the March of Dimes, Davis and his family, and other families with premature babies.      

C is for The Chase

He was perched on the windowsill enjoying his usual afternoon siesta when out of nowhere a blur of chocolate fur came bounding toward him.  Roxy awoke him with that loud, annoying bark she was famous for.  She stopped when she realized she had Comet's attention.

Ears perked up, Comet looked over at Roxy, meowed, and you could practically read his mind.  "Really?"  "We're doing this again, huh?"  Roxy responded back with a sharp bark, "Yep," and the chase was on!

Comet suddenly darted off the windowsill with Roxy in hot pursuit.  They made a quick chase around the room when out of the corner of Comet's eyes he spotted the back door open.  Running at full speed ahead, Comet made a beeline past the pool and through the white picket fence.  When he made it to the other side of the fence, to the carpet of lush, green grass, he came to an abrupt stop, laid down, and waited.

Roxy was familiar with the routine.  Stop. Bark. Run a complete circle around Comet. Stop. Bark. Wait.

When the moment was right, Comet sprang up and took off like a bolt of lightening away from Roxy.  Roxy, not wanting to be outdone, made one last attempt.  As she begin to close in on Comet she noticed him slowing down.  It was time to make her move.  At that exact moment Roxy bounded on top of Comet, flipping him to his side, and bit him on the tail.  Comet reacted with a sharp "Meow!"  As soon as Roxy's nose was in striking distant the claws came out.  Comet quickly attacked with his left paw, and then plopped smack down in front of Roxy daring her to do that again.

Roxy, realizing defeat made a final bark as to say, "You win" and retreated.  It was not over yet.  Next time...

B is for Boss

I don't mean to brag, but I have an awesome boss that I work for.  The environment I work in is both challenging and rewarding.  It takes a special person to become a teacher, but it takes a very special person to become a principal.

The greatest strengths I have observed with my boss are fairness and her ability to communicate.  No matter what situation she encounters she is able to think through a decision before presenting it.  She is constantly stressing teamwork to all her employees and models what is expected. 

One other important thing.  I can't forget to mention all the jean days we get during the year.  This may seem minuscule, but jean days are something most of us at work look forward to.  It's the little things that count. ;)

A is for Army Wives

I've decided to attempt the A to Z blogging challenge.  The goal is to write a blog post every day, one for each letter of the alphabet.  While most people probably begin this challenge at the beginning of the month, I decided not to worry about that and just start today.  I'm not even going to worry if I skip a day.  The goal for me is to write when I can.  So here goes...

I have to admit.  I have an addiction.  Every Sunday evening at 8:00 p.m. everything stops for Army Wives.  Anything that has to be accomplished has to be done by 8:00 because once Army Wives begins there's no cleaning, no laundry, no kids, no husband. (You get the idea. No interruptions!) 

It all began six seasons ago.  They had me at hello.  Claudia Joy, Denise, Pamela, Roxy, and I'll even include Roland, the Army husband.  It brings the reality of war, and the daily struggles of Army Wives.  If you want drama, you've got it all in Army Wives.  If I had the opportunity to meet the writers of Army Wives though I would have to tell them to bring back Pamela.

And, just when I thought I could control my addiction along came Once Upon A Time.

My Bucket List

I've been thinking about my upcoming birthday in a few months in which I turn '44' this year.  For some reason this also make me think of a bucket list.  So, I've come up with a list of things I want to start marking off before it's too late.  If anyone wants to join me on one of these adventures come on aboard!

1.   Develop the 586 pictures I still have on my camera.
2.   Put all of my pictures in photo albums.
3.   Purchase new bath towels.  Nice ones.
4.   Get pull-ups out of my house FOREVER.
5.   Get rid of all those teacher books I bought and are still in the attic.
6.   Do something new in education.
7.   Be more assertive.
8.   Throw a crawfish boil.
9.   Have a family portrait made.  The last family picture we have features only one child.
10. Learn how to make wine.
11. Visit New York.
12. Travel to Italy.
13. Take a cruise.
14. Run a half-marathon.
15. Take a tennis lesson.
16. Laser eye surgery so I no longer have to wear glasses. This is the most frightening.
17. Plant a garden.
18. Write an A-Z blog.
19. Experience ziplining through the air.
20. Make a new friend.

Mardi Gras

It's Mardi Gras season in the South.  That means purple, green, and gold decor, parades, beads, and king cakes.  I love this time of the year in Louisiana where we celebrate Mardi Gras throughout the entire state.  When most people think of Mardi Gras they think of New Orleans.  New Orleans is definitely an experience of its own kind, but I'm from Shreveport which is located in Northwest Louisiana.

Here in our little corner of the world we enjoy Mardi Gras just as much as the southern part of the state.  Mardi Gras kicks off Jan. 7 with the Twelfth Night Celebration and wraps up on Fat Tuesday Feb. 21.  The season gets into full swing with the Krewe of Centaur and Krewe of Gemini parades.  There's also the Krewe of Harambee which celebrates African American history, and the Krewe of Highland parade also known as the children's parade.

This season is no different.  My family and I are out enjoying Mardi Gras once again.  For Caleb, it's all about the parades and seeing how many beads he can collect.  For Nick, it's the music of the marching bands and floats that pass by, and of course the beads.  While Caleb catches all the beads for Nick, Nick enjoys playing with them one at a time.  I enjoy Mardi Gras just as much as my kids.  From the parades and tailgating with friends to buying the delicious king cake.  Pecan praline is the best!

 Whether your a child or an adult Mardi Gras if fun for everyone.  So, Laissez les bon temps rouler ~ Let the good times roll!

My Holiday Running Challenge

42 miles in 38 consecutive days!

On November 24, 2011, I began the Runner's World Holiday Running Streak. Starting on Thanksgiving and finishing on New Year's Eve I ran everyday. I have to admit that initially I was a little hesitant about beginning this challenge. I wondered if I would be able to run at least a mile everyday considering I have only been running for about 5 months.. I was afraid of not being able to stick to it. Of getting hurt. Of getting busy and skipping a day. I did have days like "OMG, I DO NOT WANT TO DO THIS" but then I tell myself it's only a mile I have to do and I'll be back in 15 minutes, and then I'm fine once I get out the door. I sometimes even ran more than a mile. You see, it's a mind thing. You really can do anything you want if you put your mind to it.

One reason I began the challenge was to not gain any weight over the holidays. The second reason was to keep my fitness that I've built up over 6 months. But, the best thing about the challenge is that I don't have to say I'll start exercising after the new year. I've already started and plan to keep it up so I can enter another 5k.

Running in the Fall/Winter is actually nice in the South. Unlike the summer and beginning of Fall months where the humidity hits you like a wall, you don't get the humidity so much in late Fall/Winter. My holiday run streak took place all outside on the sidewalks and roads in my neighborhood. Mostly in the evening time. I don't own a treadmill, and I have not joined a gym. I ran in mostly 50 degree weather during the entire challenge. There were a few days where the temperature dipped a little below or little above, and I even ran a few times in the rain. The coolest thing about the end of the challenge is I ended it in Las Vegas! I couldn't have asked for a better way to begin the new year. Hmmm, maybe this year's resolution will be to work on being financially fit! ;)

Happy New Year Everyone!