Monday, December 7, 2009

Teenagers

You've definitely been one, and maybe you've even raised or are raising one-who are these hormonal creatures we share not only our space with but our roads? They want to be independent, treated as adults, yet they teeter back and forth between adolescents and adulthood within seconds. How do we help our teenagers get through these awkward years unscathed? I haven't discovered a way, except to be there for them to pick them up when they fall, dust them off and encourage them to continue moving forward.

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Scrapbooking the Day away

I've finally decided to put the school work down and do what I enjoy the most-scrapbooking. My afternoon has been spent playing along with my members at We're having our annual Fall Festival online crop this weekend. How fun to have our mojo members come up with fast scraps/challenges and games to join in on our crop. If you haven't been over to the site before, head on over and play with us tomorrow from 10-4 EST. There's something going on every hour. See you there!

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Hitting my head against the wall

Have you ever had a day when no matter how hard or many ways you try, you just can't get your point across? This happened today with my freshman. I spent all class period, 80 mins., trying to teach them this grammar concept. How many different ways can one teach a concept, I mean really? After modeling three different ways to figure out how to obtain the answer, I ran out of ideas. Here's hoping at least half of my 33 students understood today's lesson. Guess I'll find out tomorrow when we grade their work. You ever have a day like this?

Monday, November 30, 2009

Which Are You?

Call me a prude or old-fashioned, but I think everyone should Always be on time. If you say you're going to arrive at a certain time, please show up a few minutes early or be exactly on time, but this arriving almost an hour past the witching hour drives me absolutely crazy!
So which are you? Are you like me and arrive a few minutes early, or are you one of them that is always late?

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

"New"

This is the first word chosen for a photography challenge I've decided to begin with two other aspiring photographers.

My interpretation of "New"

A newly turned leaf which we rarely see here in the deep south.



My son's dog Brody, who has adapted a "new" behavior. He has learned to just ignore the camera instead of walking toward it as he did when he first came to live with us.

Ultimately the Decision is Mine

Any educator can relate. Should I or not? There is always so much to do: plan, grade, grade and grade some more. This is MY day off from work, but I know I must share my time even though it's forced.
The decision is mine or is it? I can't help seeing those 60 some odd faces of my AP students wondering what they scored on their last timed write.
So NO, the decision is NOT ultimately MINE.
Who says educators have it "Easy"?

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

A Year in the Making

The money exchanged hands so long ago, but the anticipation has been building as the time drew near. An excited buzz filled the air as the release date got closer. Screen shots were shared, talk of new trailers and strategies flowed through the fiber optics.
Once the actual day arrived, hundreds of fans swarmed the shops anxiously awaiting the witching hour.
I'm sure many households were abuzz with excitement last night and into the wee hours of the dawn as mine was. My guys (my husband and son) were playing until 4 AM and amazingly are up again this morning at 8 AM ready to play this phenom they lovingly refer to as COD Modern Warfare 2.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

What's the Purpose?

What is the purpose of you writing on a blog? Do you hope to attract a plethora of blog followers? Who would make up that group of followers?

I posed this very question on my sbing site and most of my members said to offer prizes on my blog, but wouldn't that only attract a certain group of people? And honestly, if you've scrapbooked for any length of time, you've experienced the shopping euphoria where all is well in your world because you've just purchased the newest releases. So then I ask, "Why would you want more "stuff" when you already have so much already?"

Not only am I an avid scrapbooker, but I enjoy writing and photography as well. So wouldn't I want these people to follow my blog too?

After asking myself these questions, I came up with the following answers in terms to my own personal blog and why people would follow it:

I think people who follow certain blogs:
*enjoy your style of writing
*can relate your experiences to their own lifes
*hope to learn something in relation to their own hobbies
*just want to be entertained

Through the reading of my blog I hope my audience gain a few laughs, learn a few new things, view situations from a different perspective and learn not to take life too seriously.

Ask yourself this question and see what answer you come up with. Who would you like to follow your blog? What is "your" purpose for keeping a blog?

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Here's what I've learned

*You don't have to only blog about scrapbooking (or whatever craft you may love)
*Skipping days is okay, life happens-no need to apologize
*After reading 2 pages worth of blogs linked to Shimelle's class, I want to read only those that I connect with
*I don't have to change the name of my blog for people to read it, it's a metaphor really ;)
*I can add as much or as little writing/photos as I'd like
*And the BEST thing I've learned...I really do have ideas for blogging and didn't need a class to supply prompts, but this class did open my eyes to another way of blogging. For that I am thankful

What happened here?

I bet you're wondering, "What's happened? Jan was off to such a great start and then Wham!" I totally understand, you don't need to explain yourself. This is how my life has been since Aug. 24 and I never know when it's going to hit (get crazy) enough that I'm MIA for a bit. The one thing I do know, or hope I know, is you'll all be here waiting for my return.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Tacky Day or was it?


"Tacky" Day it sure was! The girls' outfits were hastily put together as they randomly selected clothing from their closets and drawers. Make-up was applied to create opposite effects on eyes as well as cheeks and their stockings... well let's just say these shouldn't be discussed within earshot of any of the principals.
These outfits transported me to days I'd rather not remember.
As the day progressed the outfits, girls and guys, became even more tacky. I thought to photograph a few of these to share, but later thought better of it.
Let's just say I'm glad this day only comes once a school year.

There's nothing like HomeComing Week

It's great to see how many new followers I have-Welcome everyone!
Today is another scrappy opportunity that I'm armed and ready for. I have my camera with a fully charged battery ready for those ever so present photo opps.
Teaching teens is the best this time of year. They LOVE to dress up and get into the HomeComing Spirit.
Today is "Tacky Day" so I'm sure they'll be fabulous outfits to fill my frame.
I'll share later this afternoon after I get home from school, so make sure you pop on by later on.

Monday, November 2, 2009

Mitchell Mustangs Happy Halloween Cheerleaders



Here is a photo of one of my AP students who happens to be a cheerleader. I asked her to come back with her friends so I could get a pic of them snazzing up their uniforms. I didn't notice the garters until after I printed the photo to scrapbook it. I think it's a sharp contrast to the halos they are wearing are their heads.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Halloween High School Style

I'm in the process of creating my Halloween layouts, but I thought I'd share a photo of two of my AP students.

They were so sweet to pose this dramatic photo for me.

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Something New

I'm beginning a class by Shimelle on Monday that deals with blogging. I'm very excited and hope it inspires me to blog more.

On Scrappinmojo we have a "Monthly Master Challenge" that Diane runs for me. I just finished my layout of my niece and love how it turned out. I wish you could see the shabby edges better.


If you haven't been to Mojo, you really need to stop by and check us out. I'm sure you'll be inspired by our weekly challenges posted every Friday as well as our Sponsor reveals posted the 1st and 15th of each month.

Happy Halloween everyone! I hope you have a safe night!

Friday, July 31, 2009

Adornit Blog Hop

Georgana emailed me asking if I or any of Scrappinmojo members would be interested in participating in the Adornit blog hop. Of course we were, in fact 9 Mojo girls are playing along. If you enjoy the comraderie of a small knit group of scrapbooking fanatics, then you'll love scrappinmojo. Our forum isn't too large that it's overwhelming like some other sites, but there is always something fun going on from our weekly challenges, monthly contests to guest design team reveals. Come on over and check out the site this weekend as we host our Hawaiian Laua online crop.

My idea for one of my favorite activities this summer was when our seniors attended a mentor training in preparation for the incoming freshman class which they will oversee. I knew I wanted to document this event since it's our first year implementing the freshman university, but I wasn't sure how. Then I came across Adornit's Fern Collection which has such cute papers that I just couldn't resist creating this 6x6 book. I thought the "wise owl" theme totally fit with the seniors taking on the role of the "wiser student." Here are the photos I took to share with all of you.
















Let's have some fun and reward you for blog hopping with some Adornit prizes. Leave me a comment telling me how you've used Adornit's Fern Collection or how you've been inspired during your blog travels. Also, if you decided to join us at scrappinmojo this weekend for our online crop, let me know you heard about it on my blog. I will have several random drawings on Monday, so make sure you leave a comment and/or join in on the fun.

If mine is the first blog you've visited, you can start at the beginning of Adornit's Blog Hop here.
Make sure you visit Summer's Blog to continue blog hopping.


























Monday, July 27, 2009

Not too much longer

until the Adorn It blog hop. I'm so excited to share with everyone the project I made with some of their product. I hope you're able to join us in the fun!

Meanwhile, we are getting ready for an online Hawaiian Laua at http://www.scrappinmojo.com/ It will begin on Friday, July 31 with a game of bingo and then continue the rest of the weekend with fun games, as well as challenges and quick scraps created for you by our very own Mojo girls. So stop on in for a chance to win the grand prize- a gift certificate to your fave online sbing store.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Adorn It Blog Hop

Scrappin Mojo girls are joining Adorn It in their blog hop festivities July 29-Aug 1. Make sure you hop along with us and join the fun.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Bo Bunny

Our guest design team, there will be 3 chosen for August, will be working with Bo Bunny product. If you're interested head on over to www.scrappinmojo.com and check out the August guest design team member contest for details. See you there!

Friday, June 26, 2009

Scrappin Mojo's Summer Soiree Blog Hop Kick-off

Who's ready for a fun-filled weekend of scrapping? Scrappin Mojo's Summer Soiree Blog Hop is under way and will run through Sunday, June 28 at 5 p.m. EST. During this time complete as many of the blog challenges you can and post your creations in the Scrappin Mojo gallery . Make sure you register for the gallery first. Once you've completed the challenge and uploaded them to the gallery, your name will be entered in the random drawing for our Summer Soiree Grand Prize. But wait, there's more! For each comment you leave on each participating blog, your name will be entered into a Random RAK drawing. Make sure you check back at Scrappin Mojo's message board on Tuesday, June 30, for the official announcement of all our Summer Soiree Blog Hop winners.

Every scrapbooker has favorite photos-what I'd like you to do is chose your "most recent" favorite photo and create a layout. If you have more than 1 favorite and they work together for a layout use them all.

These are my two favorite recent photos I took just the other day.







This is my girl Sasha and ds's pup Brody. He loves laying on her.


The most important aspect of this challenge is using your "most recent" favorite photo on your layout.
Make sure you leave a comment to have your name in a random drawing for a RAK from me.


Have fun and flaunt your talent! Remember to upload your creations to the Scrappin Mojo gallery.

Hopping right along, hop on over to Terri's blog

to continue our fun challenges.
See you at Mojo-have a fantastic time hopping and scrapping this weekend.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Are you ready for a Blog Hop?







Only one more day until we begin our blog hop at http://www.scrappinmojo.com/. Make sure you register so you can hop along with us.


If you love Bo Bunny as much as we do you'll just love our Grand Prize.

Remember, our blog hop begins Friday, June 26 at 5 p.m. EST at scrappinmojo where you'll find the link to our first blog challenge. We'll see you there!















Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Time Sure Flies

Where has the time gone? It's been so long since my last blog update, but so much has happened at www.scrappinmojo since then. I now run the site with my sister, Terri and we have had so much fun. We have a great group of girls on the board that I'm sure you'd love to hang out with. Stop on by and check out the weekly challenges as well as see the awesome monthly reveals we have showcasing our unbelieveable sponsors.
Beginning this Friday we are having a Summer Soiree blog hop-how fun and the best part is the grand prize is a kit put together using one of Bo Bunny's gorgeous lines.
See you there!

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Happy New Year

It's been so long since I've blogged. So much has changed in the course of 6 months. Many scrappy happenings at ScrappinMojo, you'll have to go check out our February Guest Design Team Contest http://www.scrappinmojo.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7558. I hope to see you all there.