Summer Time! - Lots of Pictures!

Hard to believe it's been a month since my last post!  Summer is underway - No School - No Schedules (for the most part) - No homework - unfortunately there hasn't been much sun lately either! I did have a pretty good tan going - but it's fading day by day!

The first two weeks of summer vacation started out that we had to get up at the crack of dawn each morning. Football camp starts early! I actually have to get up earlier than when we're in school.  But at least it gets us up and out the door.......and out of our pajamas!!

Unfortunately, my friend Mary's husband needed open-heart surgery the day after the last day of school.  Although the procedure went perfectly, a day later he suffered a massive stroke.  Things were quite scary for a while - I've spent some time with her at the hospital and fielding all emails from Brookdale staff.  She's such a good friend that I wish I could do more!  I'm happy to report things are starting to move forward in his recovery. 

So far, I've taught three professional development classes at the district's professional development center. (Photo Editing, Voki, Novice Blogging).  The Novice Blog class was FULL - of course, there were many technical difficulties and many inexperienced bloggers but I made it through (with a little help from Ryan!)

We have a couple off weeks from football camp, so we've been taking advantage of sleeping in late! (My favorite part of any day off!)  Ryan continues to work at Jewel - he's currently still being schedules for Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, which leaves the weekdays open.  Although we haven't done anything special, we've enjoyed shopping, going out to lunch, cleaning out closets and the rafters in the garage! I've even caught up on Ryan's scrapbook and washed MOST of the windows.

My friend, Carolyn, made an appointment with her friend who is a photographer to have her daughters photographed for the 4th of July.  Ryan and I tagged along and had his picture taken.  It's the first time we've had professional pictures taken outside.  Here's a couple of my favorites:

After the photographer left, I took my camera (which was the same exact model the photographer used) to tryout my photography skills: 

We celebrated Father's Day at my brother, Dan's house - unfortunately, I have no pictures to share! Ryan and I bought Bill his work radio and  personalized gift card from Dunkin Donuts.

For my dad, I made a record album bowl, found an Elvis T-Shirt and purchased the traditional Sears Gift Card. 

I also found this unique gazing ball and stand.

Speaking of gifts, I was able to finish up all my teacup bird feeders that I was giving as gifts for the "end of the school year".  They were a BIG HIT!  I even got four orders for more.  I wasn't sure how I was going to wrap all of them and transport them to school.  I found plain brown bags - but thought they needed a little embellishment - they turned out so cute and I was able to make matching cards!

The teacher I worked with all year LOVES animal print - so I put together this gift basket - and made a matching card!

These are the gift bags I made for the kids - I put together a slide show DVD and burned a copy for each students - along with the DVD the girls got pastel pens, lip gloss, a personalized bookmark and candy - the boys got a hacky sack, Toy Story pen, personalized bookmark and candy. I love how their bags turned out too!

Well, I think I'm all caught up with the past month! Now you can see why I haven't had much time to blog!  Thank goodness school doesn't start up again for another 7 weeks!

The "Chosen One"

Ryan was excepted into the Multicultural Leadership Academy! He completed his first session on Saturday and seems to really enjoy it. The teacher that recommended him for the program also had to do a letter of recommendation to the academy.

March 24, 2011

Letter of Recommendation for Ryan Sadler:


As a business teacher at Metea Valley High School, I have known Ryan Sadler as a student in my computer applications class. Ryan is a conscientious student, prepared with assignments and a thoughtful participant in class. Ryan is a pleasant and caring person. He shows concern for other students and respect for all teachers. Ryan is friendly and outgoing. His work is of high quality as evident in his class performance. He is computer literate, and meets his deadlines. Ryan is reliable and mature and has shown initiative in seeking out leadership opportunities. Ryan is determined to succeed. He likes challenges and is motivated. Ryan will be successful in his future educational and occupational endeavors.


Sincerely, Jill Hlavacek

Business Department Chair

Metea Valley High School


In addition, he needed to share his past experiences and accomplishments:

I am currently a Sophomore at MVHS and made honor roll for the first semester. I am a current member of the football team. This season I received the honor of Player of the Week. I continue to participate in conditioning and speed training in the off season and have committed to do so daily. I was selected as one of 3 students in the entire school to take part in a teenage advisory program at the IPSD 204 district office for the Power of Choice organization. I was chosen by MVHS faculty as a student whom shows integrity.While at Hill Middle School, I served on the Student Council all 3 years. In Eighth grade I served on the Executive Board after being elected co-treasurer by the student body. I participated in the football program and was a member of the wrestling and track/field team. Along with being chosen as a "Hill Hero" and chosen to be a mentor to new students, I was also asked to participate in small groups with students and counselors to assist students with social/emotional needs. In elementary school, I received several recognitions such as perfect attendance, student of the week, and was on the Wall of Fame - I also received an "Acceptance" award, as someone who is kind and accepting of everyone. I have volunteered at the Naper Settlement and have performed community service several times at Brookdale Elementary School, including assisting supported ed students and helped with the Halloween/Fall event.

Sure makes me proud!

Over the past month I've been busy teaching professional development to the teachers and tech enrichment classes to students. Everyone kept telling me it was going to lead to bigger and better things! Well, on Thursday I received an email from the district office saying the created a job and thought I was the perfect fit for the position. It's double the salary I'm currently making but there are two downfalls. It's a 12 month position - which would mean NO SUMMER'S OFF - and it's for a one year contract. I'd be able to keep my seniority, however, I wouldn't be guaranteed a job at the same CONVENIENT location I currently am at. After much thought, I declined the position in hopes to revisit it in a year or two. Here's our past month in picutres!

At the end of March we attended a wedding for Bill's side of the family. His niece Lara was married. Here's the bride and groom. Notice my photo editing!

This is us - all dressed up and SOMEWHERE to go!

Bill and his mom I've been busy making "end of the year" gifts for my friends. I saw these on the internet and thought they would be perfect for the end of the school year. They are teacup bird feeders. I am giving one to my mom for her birthday next week! I put this in my front yard and the bird seed was gone within an hour! There is water in the cup for a little bird bath!

I also made these heart shaped bird feeders out of bird seed and gelatine. It turned out so cute - but was gone within two days - I believe we have a hungry little chipmunk helping himself to the bird food!

Today I went to visit a teacher who had a baby at 29 weeks. Imagine my surprise when we walked into the Maternity floor and saw this - Ryan's artwork hanging on the wall!

Here's a close up!

Then when we were buzzed into the NICU nursery, there were about 8 collaged framed pictures on the "wall of fame"............one of the eight was RYAN! Sure brought back some memories of our SHORT stay at Good Samaritan Hospital!

I created a graphic for the New Mom to email out to the Brookdale Staff - they turned out so cute.

This is my favorite picture I took during my visit!

Hope to post again soon!