The World According to Leslie

The Princess is working on her Silver Award project. She is calling it Love in the Chaos !!! She's going to be making LifeBooks for children who are in foster care in our county. Once she has completed her Silver Award, she will begin the work to start her Gold Award. (It's like the Boy Scout Eagle Award--only better.... ok, I may be a little biased!) That's when she's going to spread to surrounding counties with this project! Anyways, we have asked friends, family, and complete strangers for donations for the LifeBooks. She's hoping to make 150-200 of them for our local county. We have had several people donate to the project so far.... and we still need A LOT of donations (monetary or supplies). But, of those donations only two have been from people we know!  It's amazing how strangers will help you do something when you are working toward a goal, like LifeBooks for Foster Children. If you would like to donate, please contact me. I'll set up a...

I need help! Those may three of the hardest words to say together in the English language. The other hard three word combos are "I am sorry" and "I was wrong". I've said all of these three word combinations so many times in my life, but for me, personally, the hardest three to say together are "I need help!" I'm a very, very, very (did I say VERY?), type A personality. According to Wikipedia (which is not always right, but can be used for fun information like this), a Type A person can be: "rude ambitious rigidly organized highly status-conscious sensitive impatient anxious proactive concerned with time management People with Type A personalities are often high-achieving "workaholics" They push themselves with deadlines, and hate both delays and ambivalence." Except for the "rigidly organized" and "highly status-conscious," that's pretty much me!!! I work best in stressful situa...

Yesterday went well.  I didn't cry when I dropped the Princess off at the high school for Transition Day. (I'm not promising I won't cry when I drop her off for the first day of school next year!) I didn't cry when I picked her up and she was wearing the new shirt they gave all the students that said the school name and "Class of 2021"!!!  (So unreal!) I made it through my speech last night. It was very laid back, and I'm not sure why I haven't been going to the support group over the past two years!  I may start going.... although I'm almost 2 years out from surgery. I may go just to have the group to help keep me motivated when I need it.  Plus, in April, they are discussing smoothie and protein shake recipes.  I need help in that area anyways!  There were two other people on the panel last night. When we finished talking, the group could ask us questions, but there were only like 3 questions. I really thought there would be more!  Eith...

Today is the last day of February!  How is February over already? Is it REALLY possible that 2017 has conquered 2 months this quickly? I think about January and February right now. I feel like I haven't really gotten anything accomplished. I have big goals for 2017. I have big projects for 2017! I feel like I haven't gotten ANYTHING done toward them! Last night, my co-leader for Remedy Kidz, our children's church at Remedy Church , and I got together. This year, our church has a project called "Better to Give". We are planning to collect toys (all ages--new or GENTLY used) for 500 kids. Remedy Kidz are going to be preparing stockings for the parents. Each stocking will have hygiene products and snacks in it. (Everyone loves getting something for Christmas, right?) Last night, we sat down and made a list of items we are planning to put in the stockings. We are planning to do travel-sized items so that they will all fit. The list: toothpaste toothbrush...

A little bit ago, I had to Google "how to get dried crayon out of fabric". I found a lot of solutions. However.... I didn't try any of them. I asked my mommy instead. Mom said to put dish soap or laundry soap on it and scrub it down. Then dry it. I'm thinking that sounds crazy...... HOWEVER.... I did it and it worked. I used the blue stuff (actually generic blue dish soap)--you know the kind--because my laundry soap comes in pods. I already had red crayon streaks in The Princess's brand new khaki Girl Scout Cadette vest. I did NOT need to have a pod explosion when I tried to open that! I guess you're wondering how I got melted red crayon streaks on The Princess's brand new vest, right? I heated up the iron. I got the patches ready to put on. I laid the vest on the towel on the table. I ran the iron over the right front of the vest. And.....  MELTED RED CRAYON! I totally blame my mom! It's HER iron! But, I helped put the crayon o...

There's an old saying "When it rains, it pours." That seems so true. I was sick all summer, mostly. I'm feeling so much better now. Now, the Princess is on crutches. On Wednesday at the school softball game, she and another teammate had a collision in the dugout. She twisted her knee. The trainer said that her knee cap "sub-flexed." So, we iced it and she played the 2nd half of the game. On Thursday, she practiced for two hours. She was practicing at 3rd base and went to pivot to throw the ball to 1st base and she fell. We got her to the dugout. Her knee was already swollen. Tony took me to Girl Scouts and took the Princess to Urgent Care. When they came to Girl Scouts to pick me up, the Princess was on crutches and had a immobilizer on her knee. She also had the diagnosis of Osgood-Schlatter Disease. Osgood-Schlatter is where the tendon is pulling on the bone in her leg incorrectly. Fortunately, it is very common in athletic kids. Typically, girls...

The doctors told me to "return to normal" so I have been doing everything I normally do.  Almost everything.... I haven't had a chance to get back to the gym. I'm still trying to work that into my strange schedule.  I get the Princess off to school in the mornings. Then I head to the daycare to help my mom, since my friend who really works there is still out on medical leave. After I leave there, different days are different times, I head home for just a little bit before heading to get the Princess from softball practice. Two days a week, she has games. As of last Wednesday, the first game, she is the starting first baseman! Last year she only got to play in 2-3 games because she was in 7th grade. This year, as an 8th grader, she's a starter!  She got her same number too!  #18!!!! We have school stuff, like meetings and stuff to handle in the evenings. We have church stuff. We also have Girl Scout stuff. We stay pretty busy!  However, it's nice to be ...

I haven’t written in what seems like forever.  In reality, it’s only been a little more than a week….but….seriously….  what can happen in a week?   Nov. 30th—Mom and Dad’s party went over really well.  I’m waiting for the photographer to get me the pics.  I’m excited to see them.   Dec. 7th—My Girl Scout troop won first place for decorations at the local Christmas Festival.  It was exciting. We have tried for 4 years.  Next year, everyone will be trying to beat us!   I think my parents are already working on an idea, but I’m not sure.   We have 9 school days until Christmas break. Friday, Dec. 20th is our last day until 2014. We have 16 school days until exams start. We have 21 school days until the new semester starts.  That means I only have 21 days with the kids I have currently. Then I have to “train” a new set of kids to do things the way I want them done!     The best part about being a high school te...

Note: I love alliteration. Don’t you? I have finished all my afterschool meetings with adults for the week….well, almost.   Today, I have a Multicultural Club meeting. (I hope a lot of kids show up!)   Tonight is Girl Scouts. We have had 11 every week so far. I hope we keep a large group! It’s easier to do things with them if we have a huge group.   Tomorrow I have training after work. The kids get out at 10:30. Then the teachers are required to work until 3pm because we have training.    Monday is a Teacher Workday. If I can get most of my projects that the kids turned in this week graded today and tomorrow, I don’t think I’m going to work on Monday. (I could bring them home…..that way I’m not going INTO work!)   Here is my request.  And…. it’s random.  I have found a way to earn credit towards technology for schools. Every school is looking for free ways to get things into the classroom. So….  did you know that if yo...

As if Mondays were not packed enough, let’s throw in a Girl Scout leaders’ meeting and Open House (to see what the kids have been doing) at the Princess’s school.   While she is at softball practice tonight, I will be at the Girl Scout leaders’ meeting. I guess we will miss out on the Open House.   Tomorrow after work, I am meeting with someone to try to get a very special party planned. (More details to come!)   Wednesday, I have a PTC meeting to work on planning the end-of-year Gala for the Princess’s school.   Thursday is Girl Scouts.   Friday…. wait? Do I honestly not have anything on Friday? HOLY COW!!   Saturday we don’t have anything either. No softball.  Tony just has to work!   Sunday…Sunday is always church, homework, laundry, grocery shopping.   This is definitely shaping up to be a very busy week.

I’m so excited that it is Friday! Today, I can pay $1 to wear jeans to work. I really wish I had something PINK to wear. Then I would be totally appropriate. However, I think I might wear my navy blue and my jeans and my brown boots.   I’m on fluid pills now for all the fluid that my legs and ankles are holding. I don’t think they are working as well as the doc would like. So….she might have to play with it. I still can’t get my black boots on. If  I do, my ankles swell so much that I can’t get the boots off.   Last night, we had 11 girls at Girl Scouts. It was FABULOUS!  I hope they all come every week! That would make it GREAT for the activities that we need to do.  I just need to figure out what we are planning to do NEXT week.      This week has been very difficult. I have had a meeting EVERY night. Tonight I have to work the gate at the football game for work. I’ll probably leave at halftime.   Tomorrow is a double header...

Monday night, I had a PTC chair meeting at the Princess’s school.  I’m the chair of the social committee for the PTC (Parent Teacher Committee).   Tuesday night, I had a Teacher Appreciation sub-committee meeting. 2 hours. Accomplished a lot!     Tonight (Wednesday) I have a Hospitality sub-committee meeting. 2 hours. Hopefully will accomplish a lot!   Tomorrow we start Girl Scouts for the year! I hate starting so late, but we had to get some new girls. Right now, we have like 15, I think. We always accept more.   Friday, I have to work the gate for the football game at school.  Once that is finished, I will be coming home to crash…..  Yeah right! That’s not how it works.   Saturday, while Tony is working, the Princess and I have to be at the softball field for a double header! That makes for a VERY long day!   Sunday, I’m going to my mom and dad’s church (the church that we recently left). Dad asked me to come ba...

As I write that, I am fearful of what October will bring! In 2008, Dad had a wreck and we almost lost him. In 2012, Dad had an infection in his leg and we almost lost him. Could we just skip to November or stay in September (but still move to cooler weather) this year?   October is also my Blog-a-versary month. My first post was Oct. 25, 2008! That’s FIVE years! WOW!   I am excited for cooler weather. Girl Scouts. Fall Festivals. Halloween. Just about anything that has to do with FALL! I love it!   What’s your favorite season? Why?

We are starting to settle into our routine over here.  Today we have softball practice. I hope the girls saw on Saturday how important practice is. They won because of the things that the coaches taught them on Monday night.     Tomorrow I don’t think we have anything.   Wednesday, I have a Girl Scout recruitment. I need a few more girls for the troop so that we can do activities and stuff.    Thursday and Friday I have training at work. I have to get my sub plans together. These are days #3 and #4 of 5 training days I have to do. Day #5 is next Thursday!   So I will only see my kids for 3 days this week, 4 days next week, and 4 days the next. (I am supposed to have another training on Sept. 25th!)  Required trainings that are interesting are not bad. I just wish we could have spaced them all out instead of putting most of them in a 3 week period at the beginning of the semester/year!  LOL  But… we are hoping to get the sam...

I can’t believe that I haven’t written in over a week. How could I let that happen?  I have had so much to talk about in the past week!   1. Yesterday was my brother’s birthday. He is now 39 years old.   2. School has been great. The students are good. They announced yesterday that they are officially finished with schedule changes, so I should not have to worry about any kids moving into or out of my classes now.   3. Over the weekend, Tony, my parents, the Princess, and I went to Boone. We stayed in an awesome condo. I now have more things to check when I ask about places to stay. Internet….check. Handicap accessible…sorta check. (It was all one level, but the doors were very narrow and there was no walk in shower.) Central heat/AC….NO! Well, I don’t know about heat because it was in the 80s while we were there, but there was only a WINDOW unit in the place!  Can’t believe I didn’t see that on the description!   I will check better next time. ...

This is my 600th post. I have been waiting for the right thing to write, and I think this is it!   Today, the Princess starts at a brand new school. She has her backpack and supplies all ready. Her uniforms are laid out and waiting. She is always excited about school, but this year it seems even more so.   She’s going into the 5th grade. Like I said, it’s a BRAND NEW school. They just finished building it in July. The teachers are still working to make the rooms perfect….even yesterday!    I am heading into a new school year. I am excited for the things that await me this year. In reality, I only have plans for today finished. I worked really hard on everything else this past week, and I attended a million and one meetings (or so it seems)! So, today during my planning period, I will be PLANNING!  I’m glad to be at a school that will allow me to do that. Other schools have things for the teachers to do every day during their planning periods. ...

WOW! I can’t believe that I first posted on this blog on October 25, 2008. That seems like so long ago, but it really isn’t.   6 short years.   In six years, the Princess has started school. She has been a dancer, gymnast, Girl Scout, and wonderful daughter.   In six years, I have started and completed my Master’s degree. Taught for two years and starting my third year next week. Began writing as a freelance writer and getting paid for it.   In six years, Tony has been at the same job the entire time. He has moved up the ladder as far as positions go, and pay, but he has been stable with the same company. That is a blessing!   In six years, we have only moved once, but we stopped renting to become homeowners. We are still unpacking because it is hard to move and work and have a family at the same time.   In six years, I have watched my family get closer as my parents have gotten weaker. Don’t get me wrong! They are still kicking, bu...

My Girl Scout troop is FABULOUS!!! They decided they wanted to be sure that every kid in Kindergarten at their school (luckily it’s ONE school) went home with a book for the summer!     So over the week, we collected books!   Last night with 142 books, we separated and labeled classrooms.  We put them in pretty gift bags.  Then….  since we had books left over, we gave the teachers some for their classrooms!!   I thought it was awesome!    They are talking about trying to get everyone in the school a book to take home for Christmas or at the end of next school year!  WOW!  That wouldn’t take much more since there are only about 350 kids at the school!   I think my girls could do it!    We will see!

Last night, I attended my last required meeting for Girl Scouts for the year.  We did our Adult Awards Banquet.  That means that my year as a Service Unit team member is over!    That also means that all I have left is to complete my Troop Scout Year, and a little paperwork, and I am finished for the year.    Our final troop meeting is the week after school lets out so that I have time to go get badges/awards for the girls!   Then, we have some fun stuff, camping/trip/etc. over the summer, but other than that, we don’t do anything until August!    I’m so ready for a break, and I think my girls are too!   18 school days left (12 teaching—6 exams!)

Today is the day that…. 1. We only have 22 days of school left.  Of those, only 16 teaching days.  6 are exam days!   2. We find out if the Princess gets into one of the schools were are hoping for.  We applied to a couple.  However, because of money (and not wanting to pay more a month for her to go to school than we do for a car payment) one of the schools is not an option!  This one, is FREE.  There is just a lottery to get in.  They are doing the lottery for 5th grade today.  So we will know soon (as soon as it is posted on the website) if she got in or got waitlisted!    3. We finalize everything for the Girl Scout Celebration Ceremony this Friday.  I am going to get the certificates done and signed.  I am going to get the ceremony written.  I am going to confirm everyone who is helping and/or attending.  This should be  really easy ceremony for me.   I like them like that!   4. ...