No Teacher Left Behind: We-be-bloggin'

Brandi Is STYLIN' !

1. "Check On It" by Beyonce

2. Junie B. Jones

3. Denim Capris, brown shirt with teal tank top, and brown sequined sandals.

4. "Shag" soundtrack

5. Some shirts for my Wildcat Buddy, Delena Effler

6. "Curious George"

7. Strawberry Tulip from Jack Frost

8. My nanny

9. God for everything he has done for me

10. Tracy Pyatt bought me some post-it note and it made my day

Scott's Book Sounds Interesting!

Complete these statements:
1. My current favorite song: "No More Cloudy Days" The Eagles

2. The last book I read:  Sex, Money, KISS - Gene Simmons

3. What I'm wearing right now: Shorts and a t-shirt

4. The last cd I bought:  Journey - Generations

5. The last gift I bought for someone: Two skateboards

6.  The last movie you saw at the theatre: Pink Panther   

7.  The last dessert you chose Not to indulge in:  Indulge...Rhymes with Buldge

8.  The last person you said "I love You" to: Guess....

9.  The last person you thanked:  GOD

10.  The last RAK (Random Act of Kindness) that someone did for you:  (RAKs are unexpected things that people do for you, just because they care for you in some way.) A lyric to desribe a special persons RAK

You may need me there
To carry all your weight
But you're no burden I assure
You tide me over
With a warmth I'll not forget
But I can only give you love

Dear friends,

I have been talking a lot to anyone who is even remotely interested about the 21 Day challenge that I did.  I am giving you some links below, so if you have nothing profitable to do, you can spend some time grazing through it.  I haven't blogged about it yet, because I haven't had time to scan and post photos, but I will soon!  This is what I want to share with you now.

Research has shown that it takes 21 days of repeating a task for it to become ingrained as a habit.  I have long felt like I was entrenched in a "comfort zone" in many areas of my life.  I set for goals for myself, three about creating art, one for walking at least one mile a day, to help me expand my zone or move to a new one.  The walking goal I met, and, since March 27th, have walked at least one mile except on the day Neal died and on the day of the funeral.  While at Sound to Sea, I walked an average of 3 miles a day, on sand and up/down hills.  It was so good!   It is amazing the difference that this habit has made in my life!  I bought a pedometer and have found that I walk nearly a mile each day just in daily teaching (usually .90 -.99 of a mile).  I just go the long way and walk faster, and that gives me another mile to add to my treadmill mile!!  Yeah!

The 21 Day Challenge was started by Rhonna Farrer, a former art teacher, now stay at home mom and graphics designer.  She is one of my favorite life artists ( as we scrapbookers are now called!)  I encourage you to read through the comments from some of these ladies and men who accepted the Challenge.  The stories are awesome, and some will make you cry buckets.  The 21 Day Challenge is now in its 3rd cycle.  I am not doing it this time, since I am still trying to get my pages done from the first one!  But I am still walking and loving it!  This week's word to reflect on and create about it is "Habit".

If you don't want to read through all the comments, Rhonna's art is awesome and totally inspiring.  You will find a lot to reflect on that will make you feel full and blessed.  I do, every day.  There are often links to people who have posted their challenge art.  Totally inspiring!

This was the beginning of the second challenge, that I did. 

http://rhonnafarrer.typepad.com/dreamy/2006/03/index.html

Here is the very beginning.  Scroll to February 16th to read her beginning entry. 

http://rhonnafarrer.typepad.com/dreamy/2006/02/index.html

I hope that some of you will glance through or study the challenge.  It has made a big impact on my life.  Just this morning, when the alarm went off, I ALMOST hit the snooze.  But, now I have a habit.  I walk, reading a book or magazine.  The sweat pouring out of me, getting toxins and laziness out, makes me feel powerful.  My first mile took me almost 30 minutes exactly and I thought I was having a stroke.  Today, my mile took me 20:22 minutes and I could have gone farther, but I had to get ready for school.  I feel so much better.  In addition to a medication change, walking has helped me get my knee alignment back and helped me lose 22 pounds.  I've lost down two pants sizes (I'll tell you which ones if you ask me!), and I am fixin' to go down another.  I can't wear my pants without a belt or my butt crack shines!  Whooo HOOOOO!

It took me 44 years to get in the shape I'm in.  I know it will take more than 21 days to change that.  But I have a positive habit now.  No more leg/back pain.  I can breathe better.  I look and feel better (whether you think so or not doesn't matter.  I feel it.)

I love each and everyone of you.  I Challenge you to make a life changing habit.  Start today. You Can Do It!

Love,

Faster, Sassier, and Lighter,

Elaine

Susan Was Confused By Korn!

1. My current favorite song: Don't have one. Like lots of them.

2. The last book I read: Our Only May Amelia by Jennifer Holm - A Newberry Honor book. It was ok.

3. What I'm wearing right now: Capri pants and flowered shirt

4. The last cd I bought: One I bought for my husband (Did you know that Korn is spelled with a K? I didn't. Took me an hour and three stores to find it. Didn't want to ask for help and look stupid.)

5. The last gift I bought for someone: Scrapbooking stuff for Elaine

6. The last movie you saw at the theatre: V for Vendetta (weird movie - had trouble relating to someone wearing a mask the whole time - you couldn't see facial expressions)

8. The last person you said "I love You" to: Husband

9. The last person you thanked: I'm sure it was one of my students.

10. The last RAK (Random Act of Kindness) that someone did for you: (RAKs are unexpected things that people do for you, just because they care for you in some way.) Candice gave me a Sugar Daddy Sucker

Mary Aldridge's List

1. My current favorite song: James Blunts' new CD, i dont know the name
2. The last book I read:  "The Sandstone" i dont know the author
3. What I'm wearing right now: Cords, fluffy blouse with polka dots and jacket b/c its too cold in this room.

4. The last cd I bought: Garden State soundtrack   

5. The last gift I bought for someone:   a turtle bootscraper from a bridal registry
6.  The last movie you saw at the theatre:  "Silent Hill"
7.  The last dessert you chose Not to indulge in:  chocolate truffles
8.  The last person you said "I love You" to:  my best friend
9.  The last person you thanked:  a friend that took me to dinner at usual suspects in asheville
10.  The last RAK (Random Act of Kindness) that someone did for you:  (RAKs are unexpected things that people do for you, just because they care for you in some way)
That woud have to be Myra for splitting her room with me and saving me from the phone room. 

Angela's List

1. Thirteen
2. Redemption
3. Khaki pants and a pink and brown baseball shirt
4. Van Hallen greatest hits or something for Ron
5. Shower gift baking pans
6. Narnia (I think)
7.Cheesecake
8.Lane (this morning)
9.Matt Noblitt for running an errand
10.My parents did some work in the yard for me Tuesday.

Candice: Fly Like An Eagle!!

Complete these statements:
1. My current favorite song: Landing in London by 3 Doors Down
2. The last book I read: Sam's Letters to Jennifer by James Patterson
3. What I'm wearing right now: AE skirt (long, white) AE layered sheer shirts, AE sparkle flops

4. The last cd I bought: I only buy Dave Matthews Band CDs...I download the rest (@ All of MP3.com) for my MP3 player.

5. The last gift I bought for someone: AE camo shorts and an AE soft stripped polo....CAN YOU TELL I LOVE AMERICAN EAGLE?
6. The last movie you saw at the theatre: V for Vendetta
7. The last dessert you chose Not to indulge in: Ruby Tuesday's big bowl of chocholate and good stuff (forgot the name)
8. The last person you said "I love You" to: .....
9. The last person you thanked: one of my students (Jordyn)
10. The last RAK (Random Act of Kindness) that someone did for you: (RAKs are unexpected things that people do for you, just because they care for you in some way.) My very best friend talked to me until one in the morning (on a work night) until my problem seemed really small. If you are reading this...thanks and I love you.

Michael Smith: What a dude!

1. My current favorite song: "IT's been awhile" by Staind
2. The last book I read: 2006 PDR
3. What I'm wearing right now:  red 6 inch pumps,pink chiffon tights and a dirty red bandana  ;)

4. The last cd I bought: "Amended" by Staind
5. The last gift I bought for someone: a battery tester
6. The last movie you saw at the theatre: Vanilla Sky
7. The last dessert you chose Not to indulge in: Sorry, I always indulge
8. The last person you said "I love You" to: my mom
9. The last person you thanked: Mrs pyatt
10. The last RAK (Random Act of Kindness) that someone did for you: (RAKs are unexpected things that people do for you, just because they care for you in some way.) some unknown person let me into the traffic just this morning

Oops! Deb Did It Again.....

1. My current favorite song: " All That I Am" by Rob Thomas

2. The last book I read:  Currently reading: Oakdale Confidential

3. What I'm wearing right now: Skirt, shirt, flippers, and all of my unmentionables ( oops- I mentioned them!).

4. The last cd I bought:  " Something to Be " by Rob Thomas

5. The last gift I bought for someone:  Bath & Body goodies

6.  The last movie you saw at the theatre: Flightplan

7.  The last dessert you chose Not to indulge in:  ice cream

8.  The last person you said "I love You" to:  my cat, Dr. Kildare,  he thinks he is a person, so that counts. Other than him, I'm not telling!

9.  The last person you thanked: my students

10.  The last RAK (Random Act of Kindness) that someone did for you:  (RAKs are unexpected things that people do for you, just because they care for you in some way.) Nancy.  She took all of the kids yesterday so I could have a break, then I returned the favor.  Isn't team work wonderful?

Wendy's Got the Power!!

1. My current favorite song: Out of Touch....Hall and Oates

2. The last book I read:  The Power of Femininity...it's not what it sounds like.

3. What I'm wearing right now:

Khaki skirt and off white blouse
4. The last cd I bought:   REO Speedwagon, Greatest Hits (Sorry, I love the 80's)

5. The last gift I bought for someone:   Beach Necklaces for my boys

6.  The last movie you saw at the theatre:  Benchwarmers...and No, I didn't like it as much as Napolean Dynomite.

7.  The last dessert you chose Not to indulge in:  Dutchy Deb's Doughnuts

8.  The last person you said "I love You" to:  Zach

9.  The last person you thanked:  Sara Smith

10.  The last RAK (Random Act of Kindness) that someone did for you:  (RAKs are unexpected things that people do for you, just because they care for you in some way.) Mollie Deck gave me some delicious cookies that she baked.