FAFSA FAIL!

Jessica finally completed her FAFSA, which determines how much the government thinks we should contribute, as a family, to our child's education.  Now, don't get me wrong, don't expect my child to go to college for free (I'm lying, I actually do think all Americans deserve and have earned a free education), but the expectation for our family to contribute $27,130 each year is insane.  If I had an extra twenty plus g's lying around, I would definitely spend it on my child's college years, but I don't and I have no way of getting that amount of money into my hands any time soon.  That is more than half of my annual salary, so really, government, what are you thinking????????


I am completely disillusioned in my country and its expectations from an average working family to contribute 1/4 of its family income to producing another working American to this land of ours.  


What are your thoughts on this?  Those of you who already have children in college, how do you handle the cost?  I really don't know what to do..... I don't want Jessica to have a boat load of student loans to pay for when she finishes school, I already have over $75,000 in loans (which doesn't get considered in the FAFSA application, btw!).  I am sick to my stomach.

I Should.....Sundays

I should be....... grading papers
I should be....... washing clothes
I should be.......painting my toenails


What should you be doing?

Give-A-Way Time!!

We did it!  Over 20 followers on both of my blogs, so I am having 2, yes 2 give-a-ways to celebrate.  You can enter both give-a-ways for some really great pink prizes!


The prize here is a collection of my favorite pink pens (they will become your favs too, I just know it!).  



Heres all you have to do to enter this give-a-way:

1. Follow me on this blog pinksmyink.blogspot.com

  

2. Blog about this give-a-way on your blog.

3.  Get an extra entry for following me on my teacher blog: 

faithfulinfirst.blogspot.com

Thats all there is to it, just leave separate comments for each entry (3 entries per person).

Good Luck!

I More Follower

It's getting close!  Just 1 more here and I will be having a very "pink" give-a-way on both of my blogs!  I am so excited!!!!

Contest at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

I found a fabulous blog over at www.myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com and lo and behold there's a contest brewing!  Go on over to her blog and enter for a great gift!

To be entered into today's giveaway

have a look around her shop.

Come back and let me know what your favorite item is.

Marilyn is constantly adding to her shop and is coming up with a new line for baby boys!

If you would like a second chance you may add this to any of your social networking sights or blog.

Just come back and leave an additional comment.

You have till Friday March 4th at midnight to enter

I'll announce the winner on Saturday March 5th.

Soulful Saturdays

On my teacher blog, faithfulinfirst.blogspot.com I started 'Faithful Fridays" to instill some inspiration in my fellow teacher bloggers.  So I thought other mommy/family bloggers might like some inspiration too.  I know I can always use some inspiring thoughts.  So, I will post a quote, a scripture, or other inspirational words here on Saturdays.  So if you need some food for your soul, visit me on Saturdays and get your fill.


There are no mistakes. The events we bring upon ourselves, no matter how unpleasant, are necessary in order to learn what we need to learn; whatever steps we take, they're necessary to reach the places we've chosen to go.
~Richard Bach

2 more followers

Just 2 more here on this blog and my first give-a-way will be underway on both of my blogs!!!!

Friday Facts

Beetles taste like apples, wasps like pine nuts, and worms  like fried bacon.

Erica Bohrer's First Grade: Dr. Seuss Unit Give-a-way Contest!!!

Go to Erica Bohrer's blog for a chance to win Donna at Kinderglynn's awesome Dr. Seuss Unit!

Erica Bohrer's First Grade: Dr. Seuss Unit Give-a-way Contest!!!: "In honor of Dr. Seuss’s birthday next week, Donna at Kinderglynn and I are hosting a contest. The winner of this contest receives Don..."

Scentsy Give-a-Way over at The Dress-up Drawer

Hop on over to the Dress-up Drawer and enter to win your very own Scentsy:

Today Scentsy is letting one of my readers choose a Full Size Warmer of their choice and 3 scents.

Can you almost smell them already?

.

Here's how to enter:
.
First, (mandatory) head on over to Jaime's site and look around then come back and leave me a comment letting me know which warmer you would choose.
.
For extra entries:
(Follow The Dress-up Drawer, blog about this giveaway, tweet, or put my button on your blog)
Make sure you do all of the extra entries in a separate comment.
That's up to 4 different extra comments/4 extra ways to enter.
.
Good luck, winner will be chosen 5 days from now. And announced on Wednesday the 2nd.

Worrying Just A Bit Much Today

Today is one of those days where my stomach is in constant knots and I feel worried about everything, just everything.  I ask you Lord to please take this worry away as I know it isn't from You, it is my craziness taking over.......

4 More Followers

Four more followers and I will have my first give-a-way.  One question:  When I decide on what to give-a-way, how do I use the random choosing program that everyone uses?

Stomach Woes

Dance competition went well, the Enchanters are STATE CHAMPS in Lyrical Dance!! Even though my Julianne didn't get to compete because of her ankle, a team is a team, through and through.  However after 16 straight hours of sitting on a bleacher bench and eating nothing but gas inducing food, my stomach is now laughing at me.  Hopefully this feeling of bricks in my stomach will subside.......

C'mon Guys, Invite Your Friends

Five more followers needed here and my very first give-a-way will begin!  I have 11 over at my teacher blog faithfulinfirst.blogspot.com.  I need 5 more here at my mommy blog and someone will be in the pink!

Off to Jupiter

We will be in Jupiter for the next 2 days for a dance competition (poor Julianne won't be competing because of her ankle), but we will be there for team spirit.  It will also be nice to hangout in a hotel for a few nights with some crazy dancing girls.  Cherish each moment......

Forever in the pink,

Another Reminder

I have been trying to forget, just for a bit, that Jessica will definitely be leaving for college in the fall.  So just when I thought I was in the clear for a while, a few envelopes arrive today.  


The first was a merit scholarship to FIU, which is another amazing accomplishment for Jessica.  Even though she isn't choosing to attend FIU, the fact remains that they are acknowledging her hard work.


The second was from the Florida Prepaid College Plan.  Her ID card was inside so she can use it when paying for her classes.  So, yes, we don't have that payment any more, but the cost of sending her to college is so much more than any dollar amount.......

Friday Facts

Today's Fact:


The average lead pencil will draw a line 35 miles long or write approximately 50,000 English words.

New Signature

I don't know how I did it, but I did!  I love my new simple signature, makes posting just a little easier.

Free Personal signatures - cool!

TEXTAREA_ID

Tired Thursday.....

I am so tired today and to think I actually thought I would do some laundry.  I have had a meeting at my daughter's high school almost every day this week, which led to money spent eating out, late nights, and no sleep.  Thank goodness tomorrow is a Teacher's Planning Day, I can dress down and put my hair up!




In the Pink,


Janine

I Win, I Win

I am so happy, again!  I won the give-a-way at One Extra Degree from Amanda!  Special thanks to Kathleen Pederson for her wonderful creativity with her centers.  I can't wait to be the coolest first grade teacher on my block!


Thanks again, this is a blessing!


Janine

Faithful in First: Tattling Turtle"

Faithful in First: Tattling Turtle": "I have been using this all year and I have to say the tattling is all but gone. Students go to our little turtle bin (green container ..."

Sick, Sick, Sick

Last night we came home from the movies, only to find a fire on our street.  My poor neighbors drove up  to find fire engines galore putting out a fire that started when their BBQ exploded......


Anyway, I have a sore throat and will be spending the rest of Valentine's weekend in bed healing for work tomorrow.  This weekend of all things love ends with me in bed........

Faithful in First: Clean Desk, Messy Desk

Faithful in First: Clean Desk, Messy Desk: "I love the cute Desk Fairy ideas that I have seen in catalogs and thought I would come up with my own little notes featuring DJ Inkers!

UF, Really......

Colleges keep falling at Jessica's feet..... I am thankful and amazed at her accomplishments, but who are these people vying for my daughter, don't they understand I want her to stay with me forever?


Ok, crazy rant is over (for now), I am proud of her always and forever.  My little girl really is going to college, no she's not, yes she is, oh whatever!  I will live in the world of disbelief for just a while longer.....


Pinky Promise........


Janine

I Won!

I have watched many of you win giveaways over the past few weeks and thought I would never join the ranks.  I just won Mrs. Larremore's Word Explorer Unit!!!  I am so excited.  My kids are laughing because they just don't understand how exciting it is to get new stuff to thrill our students, LOL.  They are like, "Mom, it isn't a million dollars.", well to us who love to teach, it's as close to a million that we may ever get!


Thanks April!  Everyone visit http://larremoreteachertips.blogspot.com/ for your own slice of inspiration!


Janine

File Under F For Friendship Valentine Tags Freebie

As grade level chair, I always give the teachers on my team gifts for different holidays.  For Valentine's Day this year, I decided to give them nail files and cute file folders.  I designed this tag to attach to their gifts.  I thought they would get a kick out of it!  I hope you do too.


Filed Under F For Friendship Valentine Tags









Repost this to blogs you follow as I am just beginning and don't have too many followers.


Janine

Friday Facts

Coca-Cola would be green if coloring weren’t added to it.

Mrs. Patton's Giveaway

Hey everyone,

Mrs. Patton over at http://pattonspatch.blogspot.com/ is giving away a scrap booking kit in honor of reaching 100 followers.  So hop on over and check it out!

The contest will be running through Tuesday, February 15th. 2 winners will be randomly chosen at 8:30 PM Tuesday night. Here is how you can get your entries:

1. Follow my little blog.
2. Tell which kit you would pick and how you would plan to use it.
3. Follow my TpT store.
4. Post this contest on your blog.

Dartmouth, really?

I didn't get online yesterday, I had another massive migraine.  They are coming fast and furious, without any time in between.  I am tired of taking medication, tired of missing out on life, and tired of sleeping with ice packs surrounding my head.  Somethings gotta give....


On another note.... Just when I was getting use to the idea of Jessica going to UCF, a mere 4 hours away, she gets a call from DARTMOUTH today!  DARTMOUTH, really now, how much more can one mommy handle?  She has an interview tomorrow to talk about what couldn't be written down on paper (their words), I am so proud and so comfuddled (my word).  God has a plan for her and whatever it is I hope she remains true to herself and grateful to Him for all of the gifts He has bestowed upon her.


To God the Glory......

I Should.......

Sitting here watching the Super Bowl with my daughter, I got to thinking that I really should be grading that stack of papers on the table.  This prompted the start of my new weekly Sunday night post.  I will post one, two, or a few things that I really should be doing.....

I should.....

DJ Inkers Football Bear

• be grading papers
• finishing "The Girl Who Played With Fire"
• figure out what to wear to school

Oh well, there is always tomorrow.....

Sweet Clara and The Freedom Quilt Lesson (Test)

I uploaded this test document to Google docs just to see if it works.....  It is an old lesson I am trying to "cutify", so if anyone out there in blogland sees this and wants to add your magic to it, you have my blessing.

Follow this link:

Sweet Clara and The Freedom Quilt Lesson Plan

Sunday, Sunday

I am spending the day getting ready for the week at home, at school, and out in the world.  I thought about Jessica this morning and realized this would be the last Super Bowl Sunday she spends with us for the next few years.  This year of lasts, firsts, and everything in between has me spinning.  I have the ability to take the happiest of moments and turn them into a tear fest thinking about Jessica and her last 5 months of high school.  I never thought this day would come, I only wish I had cherished each and every breath over the past 18 years......  I know that I did, but when you actually have to try to remember every breathtaking moment, it becomes a lesson in futility.  My only recourse, is to smother this child with mommy love every minute of every day until August.

What A Week!

I am glad to see this week end and a new week begin, as I spent the week taking care of my Julianne and her torn lateral ligament in her ankle.  She hasn't needed me to take care of her in a long time, so I cherished every Mommy moment with her this week.  I would gladly turn back time, 16 years to be exact, so I could hold her in my arms and never let go.  I would give anything to have a 2 year old and a newborn, but I also hold on to what the future brings.  I am blessed beyond belief. Thank you Lord for my children, I am forever grateful.

Friday Facts

The word "queue" is the only word in the English language that is still pronounced the same way when the last four letters are removed.

Meet The Teacher

Jumping on the bandwagon:


Q: What would you be doing if you weren’t a teacher?                                              
A:  I would be a stay-at-home mommy because it would be the closest I could get to being a teacher.

Q: What are your hobbies?                                                                                     
A:    reading, writing, watching reality shows                                                            


Q: When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?                      
A:  a Broadway actress (I tell my students that all teachers are Broadway rejects, so the closest we could get to being in the spotlight was teaching to a captive audience, lol).
    
Q: What are your guilty pleasures?                                                                

A: watching QVC and Facebook (wow, how shallow it looks in print!)

Q: What is your biggest fear?!                                                                     

A: My car going over the side rail and drowning because I can't get out.

Q: When you’re on vacation, where do you like to go?                                 

 A: Walt Disney World 
                                                          
Q: What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?                                                    


A:  Be kind to everyone, because everyone is fighting some sort of battle.


Q: What do you value most in others?                                                                    


A:  Honesty, Integrity, and Perseverance


Q: If you could choose one of your personality traits to pass down to your kids, what would it be?                                                                                                         


A: Staying true to yourself


Q: If you could have lunch with anyone in the world….living or dead…who would it be?                                                                                                             


A:  the Virgin Mary 

Now tell us one random thing about yourself:
I would love to be on the Amazing Race

Now it’s time for YOU to join the party!!!!  Here’s what you need to do:  Write a post titled “Meet The Teacher”.  Start with a brief “biography” and then copy & paste the Q&A {using your answers, of course!} 

Judy Blume Contest

Judy Blume Contest

Vote for Me!

I must win in honor of my favorite author from childhood. If only I could turn back time....

Missing the 100th Day of School

After planning for the perfect 100th Day of School tomorrow, an unforeseen "wrench" was thrown into the mix, just for fun.  Remember that ankle that my daughter sprained on Saturday, well it decided to turn black this evening.  This had us visiting the ER again and now Julianne is laying in her bed with a cast on up to her knee.  I had to call in sick for tomorrow so I can get her to the orthopedic surgeon.


My little firsties are going to school dressed like 100 year olds and I won't be there to see them!  I feel awful for them, hopefully my substitute will have fun with them and take them on their 100 year old parade.


I have to focus on getting Julianne back on her dancing feet.  Best laid plans.......