tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5056381651293846312024-03-14T04:09:35.425-05:00From ESSDACK's Small FryUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-505638165129384631.post-53535143321441334072011-04-21T13:56:00.014-05:002011-04-27T11:40:03.437-05:00What Does the Shape of Your Lipstick Say about Women?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p4Gj6L2xPms/TbhDe00hIiI/AAAAAAAAACc/3cUEdZ5NOmw/s1600/Photo%2Bon%2B2011-04-27%2Bat%2B11.13.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p4Gj6L2xPms/TbhDe00hIiI/AAAAAAAAACc/3cUEdZ5NOmw/s200/Photo%2Bon%2B2011-04-27%2Bat%2B11.13.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600300333489267234" /></a><br />I have always been interested in cosmetics. It is fun to play with different items that are supposed to make you look younger or cover dark circles under your eyes. I have tried many different things and am not necessarily convinced that anything works very well. I think the opportunity to age should be done gracefully and we should be thankful that we have been blessed to get older. The fact that I have been given years in my life to become older is a blessing, really it is! Just don't ever look in a mirror and look down, it will really be scary! I did it once a few years back and told myself to never do it again.<br />One item I do use all the time is lipstick. I have found that lipstick alone is one thing that I personally need to help me feel my best. I like to try different colors and brands. But the one thing that I do know after years of using lipstick that everyone's lipstick takes on different shape after a few weeks. If you want to check out what the different shapes on the tip of lipstick means for your personality check <a href="http://cynthiagratzer.com/what-does-your-lipstick-shape-say-about-you/">this</a> out.<br /><br />As you can see from the picture my lipstick is worse that sharp angles on both sides. <br />No matter what I could identify my tube of lipstick anywhere. I doubt there are many floating around like mine. I tend to think I am an individual in my thinking and do have strong opinions about a lot of things. This pictured tube of lipstick has been pointed for a few weeks now and this tip will break off. Then I get to start all over shaping an molding my lipstick!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-505638165129384631.post-8420281113499002672011-04-13T11:10:00.017-05:002011-04-13T13:43:30.675-05:00Haley Eleven Years of Delight!<div style="text-align: center;">
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<br />Tim and I had the pleasure of celebrating our grand daughter Haley's 11th birthday in Lawrence, Kansas this past weekend. The party was our first to attend with her friends both girls and boys. Haley is in 5th grade at "<a href="http://usd497.org/Schools/Elementary/Deerfield/">Deerfield Elementary"</a>. Next year she will be going in to 6th grade which will be the first year that Lawrence USD 497 is moving 6th grade to middle school. Haley has always been a delightful child in every aspect of her life. She is sweet, compassionate, intuitive and just truly delightful to spend time with. I thought my own children grew up and spread their wings in the blink of on eye. Well trust me on this one that my grandchildren are growing up way to quickly. Pictured here is my daughter Emily and of course Haley. <div>
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<br /></div><div>I love spending time with these 2 girls. They are both a blast to hang with. They compliment each other so nicely and the older Haley gets the more she reminds me of her mom. My daughter truly appreciates Haley's zest for life. Watching her with friends on Saturday at "<a href="http://unionprograms.ku.edu/jaybowl.shtml">Jaybowl</a>" in the University of Kansas Student Union was a lot of fun. The 5th graders from Deerfield that I observed were just great kids. They would all have done their parents proud. They were well mannered and really enjoyed being at the party. There is always a lot of emotion for kids when they are changing to a brand new building for their learning. It sure helps a lot to have friends that you know are there for you. At this point I feel confident that my soon to be middle schooler will be just fine if she surrounds herself with the awesome kids that attended her 11 year old birthday party.</div><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8"><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8"><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8"><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8"><div>I am richly blessed to have Haley in my life. She brings this Grammy mountains of joy to my family. </div><div>
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<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-505638165129384631.post-9920270593170889872011-04-07T13:39:00.005-05:002011-04-07T14:21:22.231-05:00State Farm Agent Andy Fry<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pZmeaGUE_KQ/TZ4FYYgz9cI/AAAAAAAAAB0/DnqbVr3z86A/s1600/IMG_1076.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pZmeaGUE_KQ/TZ4FYYgz9cI/AAAAAAAAAB0/DnqbVr3z86A/s200/IMG_1076.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592913703695807938" /></a>Not to announce to anyone my age but 1971 is a good year. I graduated from <a href="http://usd309ks.org">Nickerson High School</a> in 1970. I actually drove a 1970 VW Beetle myself. I lost my precious, sweet Dad 2 years ago and the car featured here was his prize possession. He had it restored and really just had so much fun with car. He drove it in a few parades and it made many trips to the coffee shop. When he drove it he always wore a baseball cap. It is interesting how the little things stay in our memory. My son Andy Fry had the opportunity to buy the car and little did anyone in the family know how this special car would be in his grandsons life and career. Andy is a State Farm Agent in Hutchinson Kansas his home town. <a href="http://lowencg.com">Lowen Color Graphics</a> and <a href="http://lowencertified.com">Lowen Certified</a> did the graphics and wrap on this special Volkswagon. Many of my coworkers at <a href="http://essdack.org">Essdack</a> were the first to see this version of a 1971 Volkswagon Beetle. I would be remiss if I didn't say that my Dad was a very special guy in my life so this is an awesome trip down memory lane. It is also a great way to advertise my son's business and think of my Dad even more often that I already do!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-505638165129384631.post-86644726191446796792011-03-24T09:59:00.011-05:002011-03-24T16:26:44.436-05:00Kindness is the Best Anectdote for a Great Life"Be kind for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle" is a quote that has always inspired me. In our day to day lives we know personally what struggles we are going through. What we don't know about others we meet on the sidewalk, stores, schools, churches or many other places, is what is laying heavy on their lives. As humans we are all given situations in our lives that we think might kill us. The fact is that what doesn't kill us makes us stronger. Often times when I am out living my life I see a friend or a familiar face and think they seem to always be happy. They must not have anything but great things going on. I have learned that is absolutely not true. Everyone has stuff, baggage if you will, crosses to bear that lays heavy in their heart and mind.<br /><div><br /></div><div>Walking the extra mile with kindness goes a long way in our day to day lives to make others smile. I have noticed that being kind in a restaurant goes a long way in getting good service. Smiling at someone walking down the street in most cases, gives a smile back. You never know what the smile, that extra mile, has done for that person. It might have been the smile that keeps that person going one more day or one more hour! Being kind to others is very gratifying and rewarding. Being kind to others is a gift we all have been given and sometimes we forget how to use the gift. I constantly remind the kids in my life that kindness goes a long way to have a great life! As adults the same holds true, being kind is a gift that lasts forever and certainly is a gift to everyone that enters our life. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-505638165129384631.post-82488799075877555792011-03-16T15:40:00.010-05:002011-03-17T14:13:50.226-05:00Essdack where the Learning Pendulum Never Stops!Where in the world can you spend hours of your week working, learning and just simply enjoying your day. There are so many things about where I work "<a href="http://essdack.org/">Essdack</a>" that make me smile. We are an "Educational Service Center" right in the middle of Kansas and right in the heart of the USA. I have blogged in the past on "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lifelong_learning">life long learning"</a> . If you are eager to stay current on new technologies, and great new ideas on teaching the young to read, or making math fun, then hanging out in my office will be quite enjoyable. Now the reading, math and current technology is just a drop in the bucket to the many things our service center contributes to the educational world. Our employees are energetic and so very eager to teach anyone that wants to learn. Our specialists are the greatest! They are always learning in their field of expertise so our guests who enter leave with something new and exciting for them and the students in their classrooms. <div><br /></div><div>This very morning we had a staff meeting and had valuable conversation about blogging and face booking. We have been ask to write blogs for well over a year now so while it still feels new it is becoming a little more comfortable. We continue to learn tools with both that we can better use these new technologies. I always tell my friends and my family already knows and understands what a great place Essdack is to work with great friends and colleagues. I say to all of you "just keep your mind open and don't be afraid to jump out of the box".</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-505638165129384631.post-38860751564604403332011-03-09T11:31:00.025-06:002011-03-10T15:04:00.161-06:00"Like a Good Neighbor"<div>I know that most of you know that State Farm's claim to fame is: "Like a Good Neighbor State Farm is there". What you most likely do not know is that for me personally, I am a State Farm prodigy. State Farm is the only insurance company in my family since my childhood. From the time I was a young driver many years ago "State Farm" has always been there for me. In the past 10 years my son Andy has been employed with the "Good Neighbor" company. He started his career as an underwriter for autos in Tulsa, Oklahoma. After two years he took the position as a "State Farm Agent" in Salina, Kansas. After several years of agency in Salina he took a management position working with many "State Farm Agents" in the Wichita, Hutchinson, Kansas area. He is an educator by college degree so those skills as a teacher were perfect for assisting agents with their businesses. His true desire however, was to have his own "State Farm Agent" office again. One of his best talents is meeting people and being in t</div><div>he business he has chosen gives him the opportunity to provide a needed service to families living in his community.</div><div><br /><div>With that I am so excited to have him back in his hometown, Hutchinson, Kansas. He has had the opportunity to take an agency in the city where he was born and raised. Communities are always excited to have young professionals return to where they have childhood memories. It will be exciting for Andy to see folks that he has known forever and fun for him to meet new Hutchonians. He will open his doors for business in Hutchinson, Kansas April 1st. The time is just about here so if you are in the area watch for "Andy Fry State Farm Agent" to open the doors to his new office at: 2420 North Main, Hutchinson, Kansas, in the State Fair Shopping Center.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"> </span></div><div>For me, I am very happy to have him back home. I am richly blessed to have an extension of my family come home to live and work. Check out his commercial by clicking on State Farm below.</div><div><div><div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><a href="http://angus.essdack.org/webshare/Andy.mp3">STATE FARM</a> </span></div></div></div></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-505638165129384631.post-29202784440899238532011-02-21T09:38:00.006-06:002011-02-21T11:15:43.156-06:00Moments that take Your Breath AwayAs I move on through life I learn valuable lessons everyday. I guess that is what should happen if we are truly living life. I am continually amazed by how I am blessed with a great family, great friends, and a great working environment and great health too! <div><br /></div><div>I try everyday to remind myself of what is really important. Really when you think about that, it is people. Whether we are at work, home, or anywhere it is always the people that help me make memories and moments that take my breath away. I don't have the opportunity that often to spend quality time with my Lawrence Kansas family. There are two very special kids there, Sam and Haley, and then of course their parents Brad and Emily "my daughter". I know we live in a world of technology where we can phone, text, skype, and email. However, I have a lot more fun seeing those I love face to face. Children are so expressive and often times being there in person brings those cherished moments closer. Even in a work setting it is the people that stir creativity and also fill my head and mind with memories. </div><div><br /></div><div>I am a country music fan and "The King of Country" George Strait is one of my very favorite country artists. His song "The Breath You Take" really says it all for me. It just falls so close to home for me in all aspects. We only have one chance in life to have "moments that take our breath away". I need to be looking and noticing the small things that happen for they are the most important. </div><div>I want to challenge the readers of this blog to look for moments that happen in life that take your breath away! </div><div>Please listen to them music and lyrics of the song and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.</div><div><br /><div><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/bHodOymqfss" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-505638165129384631.post-1427183960458458582010-11-18T10:01:00.006-06:002010-11-22T16:26:56.825-06:00Transition is a Good ThingToday's blog is on <a href="http://merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transition">"transition"</a>. I have always known in my life that everything changes and nothing stays the same. I have also blogged in the past on <a href="http://lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/15-steps-to-cultivate-lifelong-learning.html">"life long learning"</a> and how important it is to focus on learning something new everyday. Please check out the site on 15 steps to cultivate life long learning. Many times it feels safer and more comfortable to stay in your box. The problem with that is we are not pushed to the limit of learning something new. Learning can take on many different shapes and sizes. It can make you nervous, a little stressed, and then it can also build your confidence and most importantly your knowledge. As we get older it is important to continue doing activities that make us think and use different parts of our brain. Many times during our life we experience many forms of transition. Just to name a few, going to college, getting married, children leaving home and losing a loved one. <br /><br />I am experiencing transition in my work place <a href="http://essdack.org">"Essdack"</a>. It has been exciting to learn some new technology and support skills that are different than what I have previously experienced. At Essdack we have educational specialists that support educators in the learning process. These are folks that work diligently to have learning be fun and exciting whether you are a kid or an adult. These are creative folks that put all of themselves in to their trainings. Supporting them is not new for me but my responsibilities have changed and the transition feels good.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-505638165129384631.post-20172293134384553972010-10-25T09:06:00.008-05:002010-10-28T10:36:15.048-05:00Hot Chili Peppers!A couple weeks ago Tim, myself and friends spent a few fun filled days in Toas, New Mexico. We enjoyed beautiful sunsets in several different locations in the area. Sunsets are beautiful no matter where we are, but there is something about the mountains that makes for magnificent "eye candy". We enjoyed the square with so much to see. We all loved the food of the area too!<br /><br />To that end this blog mainly is about "chili peppers". We enjoyed peppers one night in almost a soup form. It was so delicious! It was so good we all could have taken a spoon and eaten it like soup. We had the opportunity to come home with a sack of of "chili peppers". I decided that I would use both red and green for our brats and kraut lunch. Chopped chili peppers seemed the perfect addition to our meal. I proceeded to my chopping block with a knife and peppers in hand. I was thinking to myself fresh from New Mexico doesn't get much better. I prepared the peppers for the grill and went on about the business at hand. Tim did the grilling and I was attending to last minute details so that we could enjoy our invited guests. As I am chopping away I noticed that I was getting hot! I mean like my skin, finger tips, and eyes. Now please understand I was pretty inexperienced with chili peppers straight from New Mexico. I continued chopping because I was on a mission to have these hot things for lunch. <br /><br />Lunch was served and so were the peppers. One bite for me was plenty because at that point my fingers felt as though I had burned them on a hot stove. I had barely any feeling on the tips of my fingers. Please read this link on <a href="http://www.ehow.com/how_2058509_treat-hot-pepper-burn.html">How to Treat a Hot Pepper Burn</a>. This saved me from continuing to burn. I will always love peppers but I will treat those little things with a lot of respect! Beware the next time you are thinking of tackling them bare handed.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-505638165129384631.post-19526301252049315312010-09-20T09:38:00.004-05:002010-09-20T10:45:12.157-05:00Life is a Journey Worth Doing!This past weekend was spent with my daughter Emily, Sam age 6 and Haley age 10, my grandchildren. Also included in the weekends festivities were 3 other special people, Diane, Cameron 10 and Mackenzie 8. They are very special friends of Emily's family. They came to Hutchinson for the Kansas State Fair and a concert on Sunday afternoon from Lawrence. As I had the opportunity to spend quality time with this gang, I began feeling very blessed! They all were awesome to be with. My heart began feeling full of how blessed I am to have them in my life. For those of you that know me and for those of you that don't, I am a relationship person. If my life begins going in a direction that I am not enriched by relationships I am not a happy person. I feel discontentment that makes me feel unsettled. If my life situations put me in a spot that I don't feel connected with my loved ones or friendships acquired over a lifetime I struggle with what is important.<br /><br />The exciting thing for me about this weekend is that my grand daughter Haley has been so excited to share our home with her friends. That in itself is pretty awesome! She is awesome so I shouldn't be surprised. She is a kid that is about relationships too! I love being in her life as well as her families life. Haley and her friend Cameron are just a duo. They compliment each other in such a way that shows such maturity. They are friends for life, I can see that already. To be a grammy and have a grand daughter that is intuitive, social, loving, that enjoys spending time with me is a blessing that brings me such joy. Please don't be mistaken I love all of my family and grand children. This blog just happens to focus on Haley and her zest for life in such an exuberant way it just inspires me. There is no price tag that could be put on spending quality time with my relationship people. This weekend was NO exception.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-505638165129384631.post-71046395867170663112010-09-09T13:17:00.007-05:002010-09-13T13:20:23.879-05:00It Takes a VillageAs I reflect on the saying "it takes a village to raise a child" I have somewhat changed my views over the last few years on whether or not I agreed. Being a grandma, "grammy if you will" is what my own grand kids elected to call me upon me expressing that is what I wanted them to call me. It just seemed best suited for me personally. Oh my, it does take a village as you see little ones as darling babies grow into their own individual person. What I have observed as I think about "the village" is how valuable grandparents are in the lives of our grand kids. I have worked diligently since my 3 have been babies to be a very intricate part of their precious lives. I have always told them to call me anytime of the day or night, if you just want to talk. I will always be there for you and never, ever, go away!! Kids need to know that there are other adults in their lives besides mom and dad that will care for them unconditionally. It is important for them to feel at ease with changes that may happen in their world. School and other social situations in a kids life can put pressure on them and for some they may need another ear to listen.<br /><br />What does the word "<a href="http://merriam-webster.com/dictionary/village">village</a>" really mean. Check out what Webster's says. The residents of a village are compared to the people in a child's village, or their world. Many people make up a child's world. Parents, grandparents, step parents and step grandparents, teachers, coaches, church school teachers, scout leaders, the list could go on and on. Often times one or more of the names on this list are very involved in a child's life. That person or persons can help the child with life and the issues that are present on any given day. As I have observed the changes that happen as children develop, both my own kids, grand kids, and all others that have been a huge part of my life, could not have survived without the support of their "village".<br /><br />Yes, in my opinion and in my small world there have been many villages of great human beings that have been there for kids of all ages.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-505638165129384631.post-21935501392540309492010-08-26T13:57:00.000-05:002010-09-01T14:31:40.000-05:00The Changing of Life Habits for a First Grader<div style="text-align: left;font-family:arial;"> <span style="font-family:times new roman;">My youngest grandchild , Sam, just started first grade. He is attending school in a district that did not offer all day kindergarten. His experience may be a little different than a child that has had the experience of being in school all day. As I ponder the life of my own children as they progressed through public education and beyond it seems like a moment ago! I remember thinking oh, first grade, we have years ahead to grow and develop into adulthood. Wow, did that time fly by me like a rocket! Now I am watching the same thing with grandchildren. Sam is a typical first grader in many ways. He loves learning new things but it takes the talent of a creative teacher to make his classroom creative and exciting to hold his attention. Not having experienced all day kindergarten he is experiencing for the first time a longer day of learning. I know that earlier bedtime is very important for these young ones to succeed in school. The proper amount of sleep does help. But how much <a href="http://vineyardesigns.com/moms/back_to_school/how_much_sleep_does_child_need.shtml">sleep does your child really need?</a></span><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> This is a great read on the topic of sleep and how much is needed and of course it always depends on the individual child.<br /><br />With the changes that come along being a first grader also comes educational expectations with learning. So much is expected in first grade. Reading is certainly a subject that is very necessary for a young student to grasp. It is the reading skills that one possess that carries us into many other facets of our education. For without learning to read we are stifled when it comes to everything else that is also expected as a learner. It takes special first grade teachers to challenge their students in such a way to make reading a fun experience. For it is with that in place when young students begin to love reading. As parents at home reading to our young ones is still a fabulous way to spend quality time with our kids or grandchildren. If we are reading to young ones, stopping every so often and asking a question or two, is a great way to find out what the child is hearing in the story. It is a great way to have wonderful one on one time too!<br /><br />I have mentioned before in my blog that "</span><a href="http://mykidsturn.com/">my kids turn</a><span style="font-family:times new roman;">" is a great website for parents, grandparents, or anyone that has the opportunity to be involved in the learning of a child. Please check it out and have fun with any student. There are many games and strategies to help in all areas of learning for kids.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:times new roman;"></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-505638165129384631.post-74665135498222986792010-08-19T15:57:00.000-05:002010-08-23T15:05:45.343-05:00Life is Good-so GoodWhat an exciting season on the yearly calendar. Fall is just my favorite time of year, what can I say! "Life is Good" really good for many reasons. Our geological region has just experienced the worst heat for as many days in a row as I can remember. Oh, fall! That means children are leaving their comfort zones and headed into another school year. For some little kindergartners' heading off to school, away from their comfortable surroundings, it is often times a little scary. For other kids there is positive energy and they are anxious and ready for their independence. We are all different in many ways and that is a very good thing. Those differences are what makes life happen and makes the world go around.<br /><br />Here in the <a href="http://essdack.org">Essdack</a> office the staff is bustling around like Christmas is around the corner. Our specialists are so very busy with in service training for districts in our area and outside the state of Kansas. I continue to be amazed at their ability to "wow" teacher audiences with their knowledge and experience. By sharing their knowledge they broaden the thinking of educators and give tools and information that helps to make learning fun and interesting for kids. <br /><br />My hats go off to teachers. Their challenges are different every year they teach. Each classroom of kids has a different set of circumstances. Educators have a huge responsibility in meeting the needs of every child. We are richly blessed in Kansas to have wonderful devoted educators that keep on going each and every year to enrich the lives of their kiddos! "Life is Good" for many reasons and this time of year it is good because we have classrooms full of life-long learning. <br /><br />We have parents who have released their children into classrooms with great expectations for learning and excitement for their child or children. Parents please remember "<a href="http://mykidsturn.com">my kids turn</a>" is available with wonderful learning tools to help your children at home. The activities are very fun and interactive. Check it out!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-505638165129384631.post-55998079149689830092010-08-09T10:36:00.000-05:002010-08-11T13:27:46.678-05:00Summertime and the Living is EasyI remember as a kid growing up it did seem to me that the slogan "summertime and the living is easy" really worked in my youth. The older I get the quicker time passes me by, and time will never stand still. It has been a long summer for most of us, with the temperature in the triple digits. Our move happened in May and the rest has been a blur! For all of my friends out there you all know that fall and winter are my favorite seasons of the calendar. Oh my, how fall seems like a distant dream in my head and with it comes cooler weather, beautiful leaves and the awesome color that inspires my thinking. I am so looking forward to getting the fall box out of storage and begin to adorn my home with the colors that make me happy. I am so anxious to enjoy the outdoors when I can take a walk or sit in my backyard and enjoy the cooler breeze that the change of season brings.<br />With the change of season also comes the start of another school year for kids, teachers and all staff associated with learning. It is such an exciting time in the <a href="http://essdack.org/">Essdack</a> office to be looking forward to another amazing year. Our educational specialists are very busy with requests from school districts to present in their field of expertise to their staff. They are amazing folks that work hours and hours in preparation to continually present the most current information. Once again, "life long learning" is happening and it is awesome to be a part of it.<br />Parents please remember to check out <a href="http://mykidsturn.com/">"My Kids Turn</a>" where you will find activities that you can do at home to extend learning for your children. There are games and tips on each link that are so fun for you and your children and it really makes learning fun too!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-505638165129384631.post-70253131573371028372010-07-21T15:52:00.000-05:002010-07-22T14:51:24.750-05:00Facebook the Never Never Word for MeAnother blog post on continuing the learning stream for the way the world is going. Not long ago my famous last words were "me, I will never do Facebook". If you think for one minute I am going to put myself out there, you are crazy. Well, I ate my famous last words and now have a Facebook page and actually enjoy looking at the daily posts. Sometimes I even feel that it is safe to make a comment. I know that once the post is out there all my Facebook friends will have access to my comment. It is fun and exciting to read what others are doing in their lives. Getting to see pictures of family, grandchildren and other events important to that individual is what makes the Facebook connection of value to me.<br /><br />Facebook is also a great marketing tool for your employer, in my case it is <a href="http://www.essdack.org/">Essdack</a>. When using Facebook I can mention great learning opportunities going on at Essdack. Things like "<a href="http://mykidsturn.com/">My Kids Turn</a>" "<a href="http://podstock.ning.com/">Podstock</a>" just to name a couple of things. With having my friends on Facebook, I hope those buzz words spur curiosity for my readers on Facebook. My hope is that they wonder as to what those things really are and how it effects kids, teachers and parents of today!<br />The world we live in today is a very diverse connected place. We can be connected at all times if we desire. I believe that all the tools available today can be a very productive way to promote business and also connect to friends all over the world.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-505638165129384631.post-48182572781575385322010-07-08T12:50:00.000-05:002010-07-14T09:14:32.189-05:00Life Long Learning Keeps Us YoungAs I think of what is happening in today's world many things come to mind for me. We live in a constant changing world with everything related to technology. Oh my, just think of even last year and where things were and then think of the present. We have twitter, facebook, texting, emailing, internet, ipods, ipads and cell phones with unimaginable uses, just to name a few. Who would ever have thought that we would go from big huge cell phones to what we have today.<br /><br />I was recently in the store where I do business for my cellular phone. I had hoped that I would be ready to upgrade for a reasonable price. I found out that I have a few months before I will upgrade the phone. However, I did change my plan. Texting was something that I just knew 18 months ago that I could do without so I didn't have it on my phone. Things have changed rapidly for me, that is for sure. My kids both text me all the time and many of my friends. Instead of telling them that I don't do that on my phone. I just played along and understood that it would just add to the bill from my provider. After this month realizing just how much texting was happening for me I knew my plan must change. "<a href="http://www.essdack.org">Essdack</a>" my employer has an office full of life long learners, and also this "Grammy" refuses to not learn new things. So effective July 13th my cell service will have internet, and unlimited texting capabilities. I must admit that texting is another tool to communicate electronically without to much interruption in our lives. My favorite way to have conversation with friends and family is still the most personal way and that is to converse one on one. However, to learn and grow as a person I think it is necessary to join the learning curve and hope on board. I can not even imagine where the young children of today will be twenty years from now with tools of communication.<br /><br />For now I will anticipate what is just around the corner so that I keep learning! It is exciting.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-505638165129384631.post-83986306206213960572010-06-10T12:10:00.000-05:002010-06-10T13:46:21.097-05:00Our Move is Over and now "My Kids Turn"Our move is over and I am beginning to feel more settled. For the first 2 weeks I was feeling like I was in a beautiful hotel and I was the maid. We are still working on little things, well I really mean big things in some cases. Our backyard is as large as a small city park. We have many trees and with that comes trimming. Tim has trimmed and hauled brush to the city landfill once and now we are good until fall. The work left to do is pretty much that which will be on going during the summer growing season.<br /><br />It feels really good to have it all behind us so that I can concentrate on enjoying our home and the other parts of my life.<br /><br />In the office at Essdack, we are kicking off a busy summer. Jane Seward and Jodi Case are presenting a 2 day "Spaces and Places" where teachers of the young child are learning tips on creating interesting learning spaces. They are having fun creating colorful places for children to learn.<br /><br />Michelle Flaming and Renee' Smith have been working hard this week planning for a 2 week "Increasing Mathematical Understanding" grant facilitation training. It will be fun to see the same teachers for 2 weeks in the office learning and having fun.<br /><br />Jane Seward has 5 days of "Pathways to Reading" beginning next week. The calls are rolling in to sign up!<br /><br />I have mentioned in a previous blog that I am so fortunate to work where learning is always happening. There are always new buzz words related to learning or education which means there might be something new coming down the pike.<br /><br />A very exciting thing happening at Essdack are "you tube videos" on <a href="http://mykidsturn.com/">mykidsturn.com</a><br /><br />"My Kids Turn" is a website really designed to help a parent with their child's learning at home. It is a great website that addresses many of the things that children struggle with in school. Here is a list of the topics to check out:<br /><br />Just Desserts<br />Learn Grow and Bloom<br />Raising Digital Kids<br />Art Snacks<br />By the Numbers<br />Magic Spell<br />Great Games Better Brains<br /><br />As I have had the opportunity to check out what the staff here at Essdack has done with this learning opportunity, I have certainly learned a lot of new things that I can enjoy with my grandchildren. Our staff has shared tools and tips to help children at home continue learning and also have fun doing it. We believe that learning should be fun!<br /><br />Enjoy learning something new everyday.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-505638165129384631.post-6337273881743231052010-04-12T13:20:00.000-05:002010-04-12T14:18:51.693-05:00Traveling Down Memory LaneThe preparation for the move to our new home is in full swing. The garage sale is over and it was certainly prosperous for all of us involved. I met my financial rewards with what I had hoped to earn. What a wonderful, gratifying feeling to have that behind me. Preparing our move has certainly been "a trip down memory lane." As I have taken the time to look into every box it has brought with it a lot of emotions that go clear back to my childhood. That is a lot of years, folks! Some things were more easily thrown out or sold than one item in <em>imperticualr</em><br /><br />My Dad always enjoyed making things for me anytime of the year. It did not have to be Christmas or some other special day on the calendar. However, one year probably as far back as fifteen years he made my sister and I an outdoor two-wheeled cart. He used old lumber that he always had lying around from some other project. The cool thing about the cart was that he used old antique wheels given to him by a really good friend of his. That made it even better for him to make something for us. Every spring since that time I have always enjoyed it in my yard with flowers. The wood on the cart suffers damage every year from the weather. Tim has spent time keeping it together by replacing some of the original wood. I have given it a fresh coat of paint every spring so that it may continue to be a bright spot in our yard. Needless to say, I truly hope that the cart will stay with me or my children and their families for a very long time. I am looking forward to moving the flower cart with us to our new home, so that I and others that visit us will also enjoy a true labor of love from my precious Dad. Enjoying the out of doors was his favorite thing in the whole world. That is why keeping something made by him that can be enjoyed outdoors is so special to me.<br />Traveling down memory lane has been fun and also comforting. There are simply certain special things in our lives that will always connect us to someone close to our heart.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-505638165129384631.post-6409124860185086412010-04-01T08:31:00.000-05:002010-04-01T09:21:34.075-05:00The Dawn of a New DayHere it is "the dawn of a new day". On my last post I blogged on moving from my home of 22 plus years to a newer ranch home. Our home has been on the MLS listing for 17 days and has shown all but 2 days of that time. We have had 2 potential buyers back for the second time and tonight we have the 3rd second time potential buyers coming back to take another look. In my mind I have moved on to our new home. I am thinking about how to decorate, what colors for the walls, and where I will actually store all of our things. Last weekend was the big basement purge! I and a co-worker are having a huge garage sale soon. Tim and I have moved items from the basement to the garage for lack of a better place to go. Sadly, it is very gratifying to be pitching things that at one time I couldn't even begin to part with. Old things of my adult children. I know when I decided to keep it 25 plus years ago in my mind I jut knew that my children would certainly want the valuables of their childhood. Wrong! <br /><br />We really do live in a very disposable world. What once meant the world to us doesn't mean a thing months or years down the road. The majority in the present generation of young adults do not have the sentiments that some of us have on items that were made by grandma, grandpa or even the generation of "greats". My generation has a better understanding of the labor of love that went in to homemade items. Now that a move is in store for Tim and Jenny it is time to clear our lives and become free of stuff taking up space. <br />The "dawn of a new day" brings a chance to make memories, reminisce, cherish valuable moments no matter what we are doing. The stuff in our lives, is just stuff! What is the most meaningful are relationships of all those at home, work, and wherever else we hang out.<br /><br />My new uncluttered existence is feeling really good.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-505638165129384631.post-92220220481347056692010-03-22T13:41:00.000-05:002010-03-22T14:26:54.146-05:00Essdack Small Fry on "The Big Move"Several weeks ago I wrote a blog on "un-nesting my home". I felt when I started the process there was a reason that I would find out later. Well, the reason is staring me right in the face. A "for sale" sign in my yard and a contract on a new home is in store and right around the corner. I have lived through one full week of a rat race of showings, an open house for realtors and an open house for the public. Now all we need is a good solid offer on our home of 20 plus years. One can only imagine the archives of stuff and junk that has been accumulated. I am a tosser, so I can't imagine what would be looking back at me if I wasn't. I feel overwhelmed ! However, Tim and I are very organized people, so organized it is amazing that we survive each other. When you raise your family and then the kids go and then have kids of there own, you start thinking it's time for a different house. We live in a 2 story colonial home and are moving to a ranch with a great basement. I am so excited to have plenty of plug-ins and an attached garage. I have stood at my back door in driving rain, blizzards and intense heat, waiting to unlock and enter.<br /><br />I look around my home and I think to myself where am I going to put all this stuff and what should I not have at all. I know when it is done it will be good and I will have a great sense of accomplishment that I made it, well I should say we have made it. My list of duties has started and we have hit the ground running for this brand new venture.<br /><br />Life is good.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-505638165129384631.post-47604265867186132262010-03-10T10:43:00.000-06:002010-03-10T16:08:11.865-06:00Essdack Small Fry on "Time Change Again"I really do desire that the time of the "world clock" would stay one way or the other. It is so messy to do the hour thing twice a year. I know it is simple "spring forward and fall back". I do get that part. You all know that change happens this weekend March 14th, don't you? It is now daylight in the mornings and is so nice to get up and get going. Sunday morning it will be dark when it is time to get up and still be light in the night. Our biological clock will spend a week or two being confused. I remember with children at home it was always difficult to get them to bed because it was not dark. However, they did eventually adjust to it until it was time to do it again.<br /><br />I do admit that extra hour of light in the evenings gives us all more time to enjoy the outdoors. The change of time in the spring means new life and re- birth for all things dormant from the long winter. My favorite thing in the spring is to be outdoors in the early mornings, coffee in hand, for the sunrise. This is a time when possible, I enjoyed with my precious Dad. He so loved those early mornings in the spring. I have such fond memories of those scenes in my life.<br /><br />Once again, Sunday morning at 2:00 am approximately 70 countries will alter their lives and biological clocks for the big spring change. Look at it as a great chance to enjoy the outdoors as we have all had a long cold winter.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-505638165129384631.post-22629513249136153082010-03-04T12:58:00.000-06:002010-03-10T11:53:27.636-06:00Ambassador for Asperger'sAmbassador, what does that mean to most of us? Well, one definition I found on -line is the following: an authorized representative or messenger b : an unofficial representative <traveling><br /><br />As I think of the term, I think of someone that is spreading positive information about something they are passionate about. For me personally, I am an "ambassador" for my Grandson Zachary. He is 9 soon to be 10 this summer and is in the 4th grade. Four years ago he was diagnosed with Asperger's which is high functioning Autism.<br /><br />Zachary is a kiddo of high intelligence and has some of the greatest gifts that you could ever want in a kid. He does however have some quirks that can be very frustrating at times. As he has gotten older many of the social things that were a problem are kinda disappearing. Life with Zachary is always fun because he is so witty. He uses big words and his ability to communicate has always been way above what his age reflects. One of the things that a child with Asperger's deals with is not understanding social cues. He is likely to say exactly what he sees and it may not be exactly appropriate. We spend a lot of time explaining a more acceptable response. The great thing about him is that he has fabulous manners. He is never remiss at being kind when things are offered to him or he is given a gift. Needless to say, the entire family has said things that we all would understand and Zachary takes it literally. Like "it's raining cats and dogs." I chuckled to myself when he wondered where the cats and dogs were.<br /><br />His diet has always and still is a challenge for all of us all the time. A child with Aspergers finds 3 or 4 things they will eat for a very long time. It is often times food that is not very healthy. We have all spent countless hours trying to find the next new food for his taste buds. We are now beginning a new plan of action where food is involved. After countless hours of research and concern of his diet, as a family, Zachary is going to begin to try very small bites of new things. This will be a challenge but worth fighting for a healthier diet and better brain food.<br /><br />Being an"ambassador" for a kid is so much fun for me. It comes with some frustration but the gift of happiness that he brings those that love him far out ways the hurdles. Every second that I spend with him I am richly blessed by his huge heart and his sincere love for me, his "Grammy." My heart is so full and I am richly blessed being an "ambassador" for this kiddo.</traveling>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-505638165129384631.post-24417903224207013002010-02-24T09:04:00.000-06:002010-02-24T09:41:10.715-06:00Essdacks Small Fry "Un-nesting my home"Many of you have heard the term "I am nesting". Many women expecting babies "nest" as their delivery date nears. They organize, clean and prepare for that little one to enter their home and more importantly their lives. Well, I am "un-nesting" my home! I am not sure if "un-nesting" is actually a word in Webster's, but it works for what I am doing. Tim and I have been in our 2-story 1924 colonial home for 22 years. Needless to say a family accumulates many things in their lives together. Even though my children have been gone from this home for 15 plus years there are still things of theirs and ours that need to be removed. I began yesterday with a decluttering plan starting with the second story and plan on working down to the basement. All of this is an effort to bring peace of mind to me that everything has been cleaned out. If it is possible for Tim and I to agree on the home, at some point in the future we will move to a ranch style house, to be enjoyed as much as we have enjoyed our 2-story colonial. <br /><br />I know that it is much harder for some to get rid of stuff than others. For me, I figure I have all the memories of all the stuff so I don't actually need to see it. For others it is total torture and painful to throw away or give away their stuff. I am constantly aware that everything has value to someone, especially to those I love the most. Of course, my children have moved on and are accumulating their own stuff so they don't want their old stuff. Well, at this point in time, some executive decisions will have to be made, and guess who will make those decisions. That would be me, "Mom". Someday they will thank me for my actions.<br /><br />To all of you have an awesome day! Enjoy the wonderful sunshine.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-505638165129384631.post-51460507305535151342010-02-17T10:25:00.000-06:002010-02-17T11:07:01.483-06:00Essdack Small Fry on "What Not to Wear"How we dress does affect our co-workers. Some of you may be familiar with the cable series "What Not to Wear". The other day, actually a few weeks ago, I entered the Essdack office, not even thinking about the sweater that I wore for the first time. I love animal print things, and it doesn't really matter to me what animal. One of my co-workers and friend, Pat was in the office on this particular day. Now, I know that she is as petrified of snakes as I am mice. Yikes, I will go running so fast I could win a slow marathon if I happen to spot one. Well, she is that way too, with any snake, I mean any snake. I was clueless as to what the print was that I so proudly wore on that day. Guess what folks, it was the print of a "Python". I learned very quickly the species of the snake, when the presenter at Essdack that day, Elaine Bernstorf said "I love your Python printed sweater". I thought OMG, it is a snake pattern. <br /><br />In the meantime, I left the office briefly, came back to Pat being almost physically ill over my sweater. I offered to go home and change, that I would be happy to do so. Knowing how I would feel over a mouse print that I had to look at all day. She politely said "no that's ok, just don't give me a hug". She made it through the day and I promised her that I would never where the infamous sweater when we are in the office together. That was a day for me that I learned "What Not to Wear" when my friend Pat is in the office. <br /><br />To all of you have a wonderful, productive and fun day.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-505638165129384631.post-53996031314714493962010-02-08T10:18:00.000-06:002010-02-08T13:55:28.605-06:00Life changes from Small FryHere it is Monday February 8th. I have been out of the office for a week playing nurse for my son Andy, 34 years of age, single with a broken hip. His accident happened ice skating at the indoor arena in Wichita on Saturday January 30th, with his son Zachary. His surgery was Sunday morning at Via Christi, St Joseph. He is now bionic, in that he has a screw, pins and a plate in his left hip. I have to admit that I have thoroughly enjoyed and will continue to enjoy the awesome time that I have had with him. He has a fabulous personality, even with the pain that he has endured the last week. We have had the opportunity to have wonderful conversation and laugh a lot. One of the greatest things about Motherhood is to have the added benefit of being a friend to adult kids. He has 6-8 weeks to go with no weight bearing on his left side. So with that news he is somewhat home bound and needing to use a walker, and State Farm his employer, has been great in allowing him to do much of his work from home. Love that technology, don't we? I have more time to spend with him until he is back on his feet. We have had great conversation about a lot of things that have made as laugh and cry. I will always cherish those moments. <br /><br />In previous blogs from me I have stated that I am pursing diligently to live life, one-day-at- a time. It is beginning to feel more normal to me and I do like how it feels. Life is a journey with crazy twists and turns and allows us all a wonderful opportunity to grow as people.<br /><br />To each of you have a wonderful day and stay warm.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1