Hair Change

I'm a brunette!

My Favorite Websites

Shopping
http://www.spoonsisters.com/ (Unusual, unique gift ideas)

http://www.uncommongoods.com/ (More uncommon gifts)

http://www.lakeside.com/home.asp?CK=Y& (More affordable gifts)

Makeup
http://www.makeupgeek.com/ (Easy ways to put on fabulous makeup)

https://www.cherryculture.com/index.php (A slew of makeup and brushes you can buy online)

Blogs
http://iceboxbritty.blogspot.com/ (Britt-thoughts from a High School Spanish teacher)

http://hollysstreamofconscious.blogspot.com/ (Holly-when she DOES update it, she's charming, witty, and funny)

http://robhq.blogspot.com/ (Rob-thoughts from a rocket scientist turned science teacher)

http://mamashanners.blogspot.com/ (Shan-a teacher, a mother of 1.5, a sister, a wife)

http://mrstanguma.blogspot.com/ (Courtney-a Business teacher teaching in a far less privileged population than my Littleton students)

http://www.bbkusters.blogspot.com/ (Becca-my cousin living on the other side of CO)

http://linzlou12.blogspot.com/ (Lindsey-she shares fun ideas and thoughts)

http://forbatterorworsecakes.blogspot.com/ (Lindsey-a blog showing off her incredible cake baking skills)

http://www.mycharmingkids.net/ (A person I've never met shares her story of being a mother to 4.5 kids as one of them has been fighting for his life since his birth)

http://www.ihategreenbeans.com/ (Another person I've never met shares hilarious commentary on The Bachelor)

Blog Page Designs
http://www.smittenblogdesigns.blogspot.com/

http://cutestblogontheblock.com/

Diet Sites
http://www.dwlz.com/restaurants.html (A ton of restaurants with nutritional information)

http://www.hungry-girl.com/chew/index.php (Taking your favorite recipes and making them healthy)

http://www.livestrong.com/thedailyplate/users/myplate/ (Enter what you eat on a daily basis and it will calculate calories, fat, carbs, protein, etc.)

Of More Snow...

Proof that Britt and I were as wet as I said we were...

Of Tattoos, Snow, and Concerts

Britt and I had a big day on Tuesday. She's off for Spring Break, so I decided to take the day off so we could spend some time together. We first went and got a tattoo. Just something we do on random Tuesdays. We had BIGGER plans for that night: JOHN MAYER concert. Britt won the tickets through Alice 105.9 in November by calling into the station and telling a story to Slacker and Steve. Her story was sooooo amazing that they gave her the tickets. So, we've been planning this day for four months.

Britt had given me one job for the day: remind her to bring the tickets. About half way to my house, which is a 45 minute drive, she realized the tickets were still on her shelf at home, so after our tattoos, we drove back to Parker to get the tickets. We made a short detour to Park Meadows Mall (what's a girls day out without a little shopping) and then made a delicious, healthy dinner for the two of us and Shan and Case.

As we were making dinner, the rain turned into snow. Within an hour, there was several inches of snow on the ground. My aching foot from the tattoo needed some breathing room, so I figured I could venture out with some open flats on. WRONG! Luckily, I had a spare set of boots in my car, so I quickly changed into them (with a little moaning and groaning from the pain). From the time it took us to get out of car, buy tickets for the lightrail, and wait about five minutes for the train, we were SOAKED. We were both dripping and not in a very good mood.
You can see the snow falling in the background. Britt has pictures of me with my head full of snow, so I'll post those as soon as I get them. Upon arrival at the Pepsi Center, we soon forgot about being soaked and enjoyed a fabulous (FREE) concert. We sat by two really cool people, so we had a good time with them.

The opening band was Michael Franti and Spearhead. They were FANTASTIC! I liked it so much I want to buy his CD. Between sets, I received the call I had been waiting for all night. "This is Jefferson County School District. School has been cancelled for tomorrow." You have no idea how happy I was to hear that call (I had been debating about calling in a sub for the following day because I knew the concert was going to make for a late night. Mother nature took care of that for me). John Mayer was amazing. For as many dumb things that come out of his mouth, he is equally talented. He really did put on a fabulous show.

After the concert, we ventured out to almost a foot of snow on the ground. We had to wait for the lightrail, but we finally made it back into Littleton around 1am. Again, thank you God for the snow day the following day. Britt spent the night with me, as her little tiny car wouldn't have made it home that night. We slept in the next morning, made breakfast, made lunch, made brownies, watched The Blind Side, ate popcorn...You get the idea. I was thankful to spend part of her Spring Break with her! Love ya, Britt!

Surprise, Mom!

Before

After

My newest tattoo...

St. Paddy's Day

On St. Paddy's Day, I was able to meet up with my dear friends Courtney, Jen, Rob, Rich, Britt, all of whom I graduated with (except for Britt). We met in Castle Rock at Yolanda's for some great Mexican, and then we went across the street to partake in some green beer.

We had our first green beer last Saturday, so this is our second green beer on actual St. Paddy's Day.

Court has been my dear friend through ups and downs. She's my relationship counselor :)

My Job Situation :(

I wanted to update you on my job situation. It's kind of a crappy scenario at this point, but now that you know what's going on, you can pray for me and my job!

As a little background information, there are two English teachers (Laura and me) who are on a one year contract. We both have been well aware that we may or may not be renewed for next school year. Without going into too much detail, there is a HUGE budget crisis going on not only in Jefferson County, but over every single school district in CO. Laura's and my job has been on the chopping block for the entire school year and is contingent on 1). enrollment at Chatfield for next year, and 2). budget cut recommendations.

Good news: One of the recommendations has been to NOT alter the student/teacher ratio (42 teachers for every 1000 students).
Bad news: Chatfield's enrollment is down for next year by over 100 students.
Bad news: One teacher from each department must be cut.
Bad news: What Laura and I hold as two jobs will now be dwindled down to one job.
Bad news: IF there is not an in-district transfer (I'll explain that in a moment), either Laura or I will be out of a job next year.
Bad news: The in-district transfer...

What this means is if another school has to cut teachers, too, because of lower enrollment, and if those teachers that are cut are tenured (have been teaching for more than three years on a permanent contract), they are guaranteed a job somewhere in the District. If Dakota Ridge down the street has to cut an English tenured teacher due to low numbers, that teacher will automatically get the English position at Chatfield and both Laura and I are out of a job.

My principal said he will not know about in-district transfers until mid-April.

IF there are no transfers, then I have a shot at a job. Laura and I will have to interview for the one spot, along with anyone else who they decide to interview. However, from talking with my department chair, even though many people will be able to interview, the position really comes down to Laura and me.

Without sounding cocky, I am confident I can beat her in an interview. She has six years of teaching under her belt, but I have done more for this school than she has (coaching, teaching an all-boys English class, working games, etc). People do not like her, so that's also positive.

So that's where I stand. It first depends on if there's a transfer or not. If there's not, then I stand a good chance of keeping my job. I invite an interview against Laura. Let the better teacher win!